Riff Tone

Green Machine

Kyuss

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarEpiphone Dot (semi-hollowbody, likely stock pickups)

AmpAmpeg VT-40 (tube combo, run into Ampeg 8x10 bass cab)

PickupsEpiphone stock humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain8

bass8

mid7.5

treble5.5

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive

Notes

Studio recording, 1992. Josh Homme used the Epiphone Dot into an Ampeg VT-40, often running the amp into a bass cabinet for extra low-end. Some sources mention Marshall JCM900 for other Kyuss tracks, but for 'Green Machine' the Ampeg VT-40 is most consistently cited. Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive is the only confirmed pedal for this riff section.

Tone Character(10)

thick and saturatedearthy and organicgritty and aggressiveweighty low-endfull-bodied midsclanky attacksludgy and heavyraw and uncompressedferocious intensitypushed to the edge of distortion

Difficulty

The riff is moderately challenging due to its aggressive picking, syncopated groove, and the need to control noise and clarity with a high-gain, fuzzy tone. No advanced lead techniques, but requires tight rhythm and stamina.

Sources

Kyuss Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard Tones for the Deaf: Nailing Josh Homme's Sound | Reverb News How to get a Kyuss/early QOTSA like tone? : r/guitarpedals

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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