Riff Tone
Head Down
Soundgarden
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarGuild S-100
AmpPeavey VTM 120 (likely), possibly Mesa/Boogie or Music Man (see warnings)
PickupsGuild HB-1 humbuckers (microphonic, vintage spec)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb2
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1993 (Superunknown sessions). Kim Thayil used his Guild S-100 with bridge pickup for the riff. Peavey VTM 120 was his main amp for Superunknown, but he also used Mesa/Boogie and Music Man amps on occasion. Chorus pedal was used in the studio for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulateambient, sitar-like resonancepercussive attackpsychedelic, trippy modulationmedium gain crunchopen, ringing chordsdistinct sustainslightly janglynot overly compresseddroning, hypnotic riff texture
Difficulty
The riff requires familiarity with alternate tunings, precise picking for the droning and percussive feel, and control over open string resonance, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarGuild S-100
AmpPeavey VTM 120 (likely), possibly Mesa/Boogie or Music Man (see warnings)
PickupsGuild HB-1 humbuckers (microphonic, vintage spec)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb2
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1993 (Superunknown sessions). Kim Thayil used his Guild S-100 with bridge pickup for the riff. Peavey VTM 120 was his main amp for Superunknown, but he also used Mesa/Boogie and Music Man amps on occasion. Chorus pedal was used in the studio for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulateambient, sitar-like resonancepercussive attackpsychedelic, trippy modulationmedium gain crunchopen, ringing chordsdistinct sustainslightly janglynot overly compresseddroning, hypnotic riff texture
Difficulty
The riff requires familiarity with alternate tunings, precise picking for the droning and percussive feel, and control over open string resonance, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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