Riff Tone

I Don't Know (Live)

Ozzy Osbourne

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

Guitar1970 Gibson Les Paul Custom (white, used live by Randy Rhoads)

AmpMarshall model 1959 100-watt Super Lead (early 1970s, metal front, with Altec 417-8H speakers in Marshall 4x12 cabs)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or original 1970s Gibson humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass4

mid6

treble7

reverb0.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionMXR MXR Distortion +

eqMXR MXR 10-Band Graphic Equalizer

flangerMXR MXR Flanger

Notes

Live performance, 1981-1982 era, as used on the 'Blizzard of Ozz' tour and 'I Don't Know (Live)' 30th Anniversary remaster. Randy tuned down a half step for live, used .010–.046 strings, and ran a pedalboard with MXR Distortion +, MXR 10-Band EQ, and other MXR modulation pedals. Settings are for the riff/distorted rhythm section.

Tone Character(10)

bright and aggressivetight and percussivecutting midrangearticulate attacksizzling top endfocused rhythmpunchy power chordssquealing pinch harmonicsraw distortionminimal low-end boom

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, accurate picking, tight palm muting, and advanced control of pinch harmonics at a high tempo, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

How to Play Ozzy Osbourne's "I Don't Know" | Guitar World Randy Rhoads’ guitar tone on Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train: secrets behind the sound | Guitar World Randy Rhoads | Wiki @ Ultimate-Guitar.com

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