Riff Tone

It's Love

King's X

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster Elite (mid-80s, with active circuitry)

AmpGibson Lab Series L5 (solid-state) into MESA/Boogie power amp

PickupsFender Elite single-coil pickups (active electronics)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6.5

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)

modulationUnknown Pitch detune pedal (model unknown)

flangerUnknown Flanger pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1990, for the album 'Faith Hope Love'. Ty Tabor is confirmed to have used his mid-80s Strat Elite with active single-coils into a Lab Series L5, sometimes paired with a Mesa/Boogie power amp. Chorus, pitch detune, and flanger effects are mentioned as part of his core rhythm tone for this era and song. Settings are from a Guitar World lesson specifically referencing early King's X rhythm tones.

Tone Character(10)

powerful and resonantclear and articulate single-coil soundtight and percussive rhythmmelodic double-stop chordsthicker, heavier sound (drop D tuning)chimey with chorus shimmermid and treble-forwardnot overly saturateddynamic and responsive to pickingslightly compressed but open

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate to advanced rhythm skills, including syncopated double-stops, drop D pedal tones, and precise picking to maintain clarity with modulation effects. The challenge is balancing power and articulation in a dense mix.