Riff Tone

Last

Nine Inch Nails

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

Guitar1990s Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely, based on era and studio gear at Sonic Ranch)

AmpDiezel VH4 (studio recording, Downward Spiral era)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely 490R/498T or similar, stock for Les Paul Standard of the era)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid5

treble7

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (or similar Muff-style fuzz)

fuzzFender Fender Blender (or similar octave/fuzz, possibly stacked)

Notes

Studio recording, 1993; gear sourced from Sonic Ranch studio collection. Guitarist did not bring his own guitar/amp; used studio Les Paul and Diezel VH4. No direct evidence of live rig for this song's original recording.

Tone Character(10)

tight, grinding, and percussivecompressed and saturatedbrassy, edgy fuzzinessdense, harmonically rich distortionaggressive palm mutingindustrial metal wall of soundmid-gain crunch stacked with fuzzpercussive attackslightly scooped but present midshigh output, focused low end

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and rhythmic accuracy under heavy fuzz/distortion, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

Ilan Rubin on playing with Nine Inch Nails and Angels & Airwaves Rig Rundown: Nine Inch Nails - Premier Guitar Fragile Era Amp Settings : r/nin - Reddit Since it's all the rage now to make drive pedals that emulate guitar ...

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