Riff Tone
Is It Really You?
Loathe
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarGretsch Country Gentleman
AmpFractal Audio Axe-Fx II (Marshall JCM800 and Hiwatt DR504 models used for heavy tones)
PickupsGretsch Filter'Tron-style humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5.5
treble6.5
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveEarthQuaker Devices EarthQuaker Devices Plumes
chorusTC Electronic TC Electronic 3rd Dimension Chorus
delayBehringer Behringer Multi-FX (likely FX600)
Notes
Studio recording, 2020-2021. Guitar confirmed for 'Is It Really You?' riff section. Amp is Axe-Fx II using Marshall JCM800/Hiwatt models as per interviews; real amps left at home for practicality. Pedals confirmed from pedalboard photos and interviews.
Tone Character(9)
tight, saturated distortionambient, shoegaze-inspired layerspercussive, palm-muted chugslush, modulated overtonesarticulate low-end claritywide stereo imageethereal, chorus-infused heavinesscontrolled feedbackdense, textured rhythm sound
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting, precise timing to lock with the ambient effects, and dynamic control to transition between heavy and atmospheric textures.
Sources
Erik Bickerstaffe, Loathe Singer & Guitarist Gear | EquipboardGretsch Country Gentleman - What To Know & Where To Buy | Equipboard“When I was younger, I wanted the most expensive stuff… But there’s more character in the player than the equipment”: Loathe’s Erik Bickerstaffe on conjuring impossibly heavy riffs with a Gretsch baritone, Behringer multi-FX and some serious down-tuning | Guitar World
This tone has been researched 4 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarGretsch Country Gentleman
AmpFractal Audio Axe-Fx II (Marshall JCM800 and Hiwatt DR504 models used for heavy tones)
PickupsGretsch Filter'Tron-style humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5.5
treble6.5
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveEarthQuaker Devices EarthQuaker Devices Plumes
chorusTC Electronic TC Electronic 3rd Dimension Chorus
delayBehringer Behringer Multi-FX (likely FX600)
Sources
Erik Bickerstaffe, Loathe Singer & Guitarist Gear | EquipboardGretsch Country Gentleman - What To Know & Where To Buy | Equipboard“When I was younger, I wanted the most expensive stuff… But there’s more character in the player than the equipment”: Loathe’s Erik Bickerstaffe on conjuring impossibly heavy riffs with a Gretsch baritone, Behringer multi-FX and some serious down-tuning | Guitar World
This tone has been researched 4 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 2020-2021. Guitar confirmed for 'Is It Really You?' riff section. Amp is Axe-Fx II using Marshall JCM800/Hiwatt models as per interviews; real amps left at home for practicality. Pedals confirmed from pedalboard photos and interviews.
Tone Character(9)
tight, saturated distortionambient, shoegaze-inspired layerspercussive, palm-muted chugslush, modulated overtonesarticulate low-end claritywide stereo imageethereal, chorus-infused heavinesscontrolled feedbackdense, textured rhythm sound
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting, precise timing to lock with the ambient effects, and dynamic control to transition between heavy and atmospheric textures.
Is It Really You? settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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