Riff Tone
How to Handle a Rope (A Lesson in the Lariat)
Queens of the Stone Age
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarOvation Ultra GP
AmpAmpeg VT-40
PickupsHumbuckers (likely DiMarzio Super Distortion or stock Ovation humbuckers)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass7
mid7.5
treble6.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
eqStone Deaf Stone Deaf PDF-1 (or Maestro MPF-1 clone)
boostFulltone Fulltone Fat-Boost
Notes
Studio recording, 1997-1998. Josh Homme used the Ovation Ultra GP into an Ampeg VT-40 for the main riff on the self-titled Queens of the Stone Age album. No evidence of live/tour substitutions for this specific recording. Pedal use is inferred from era and interviews, but exact pedalboard for this song is not confirmed.
Tone Character(10)
mid-pushed and focusedtight and percussive attackwarm low-midsslightly fuzzy edgearticulate and dynamicminimal ambienceaggressive but not high-gainEQ-boosted midsclear note separationthick, punchy riff sound
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its tight, percussive rhythm, dynamic picking, and muting techniques, but does not involve advanced lead or complex chord voicings.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarOvation Ultra GP
AmpAmpeg VT-40
PickupsHumbuckers (likely DiMarzio Super Distortion or stock Ovation humbuckers)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass7
mid7.5
treble6.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
eqStone Deaf Stone Deaf PDF-1 (or Maestro MPF-1 clone)
boostFulltone Fulltone Fat-Boost
Notes
Studio recording, 1997-1998. Josh Homme used the Ovation Ultra GP into an Ampeg VT-40 for the main riff on the self-titled Queens of the Stone Age album. No evidence of live/tour substitutions for this specific recording. Pedal use is inferred from era and interviews, but exact pedalboard for this song is not confirmed.
Tone Character(10)
mid-pushed and focusedtight and percussive attackwarm low-midsslightly fuzzy edgearticulate and dynamicminimal ambienceaggressive but not high-gainEQ-boosted midsclear note separationthick, punchy riff sound
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its tight, percussive rhythm, dynamic picking, and muting techniques, but does not involve advanced lead or complex chord voicings.
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- Go With the Flow · solo
- I Sat by the Ocean · riff
- Little Sister · riff
- 3's & 7's · riff
- Avon · riff
- In My Head · riff