Riff Tone
Life
Devin Townsend
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP Telecaster (custom, likely with EMG pickups)
AmpPeavey 5150
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 85 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb2.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
boostShin-ei Shin-ei B1G preamp pedal
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
reverbUnknown Reverb pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1997. Album: Ocean Machine: Biomech. Gear confirmed for this era and album, but not 100% confirmed for 'Life' riff specifically. No evidence of alternate guitars/amps for this song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivelush and ambienthigh-gain saturationclear note definitionwall of soundfull-bodied chordscrisp attackrich sustainslightly scooped but present midsambient spaciousness
Difficulty
The riff requires tight rhythm playing with palm muting, accurate chord voicings in open C tuning, and managing ambient effects for clarity within a dense mix.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP Telecaster (custom, likely with EMG pickups)
AmpPeavey 5150
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 85 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb2.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
boostShin-ei Shin-ei B1G preamp pedal
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
reverbUnknown Reverb pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1997. Album: Ocean Machine: Biomech. Gear confirmed for this era and album, but not 100% confirmed for 'Life' riff specifically. No evidence of alternate guitars/amps for this song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivelush and ambienthigh-gain saturationclear note definitionwall of soundfull-bodied chordscrisp attackrich sustainslightly scooped but present midsambient spaciousness
Difficulty
The riff requires tight rhythm playing with palm muting, accurate chord voicings in open C tuning, and managing ambient effects for clarity within a dense mix.