Riff Tone

Livin' It Up

Limp Bizkit

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez Musician MC150PW (modified, 4-string, tuned C# Standard)

AmpDiezel VH4S (100-watt head) into Mesa 4x12 and VHT 6x12 cabinets

PickupsIbanez Super 58 humbuckers (stock on MC150PW, likely bridge position used)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid5

treble6.5

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveFulltone Fulltone OCD

Notes

Studio recording, 2000 (Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water). Wes Borland is known for blending the Diezel VH4S with other amps live, but for the heavy riff tone on the album, the Diezel VH4S is the primary amp cited. No evidence of EVH or Selmer Zodiac on this specific track. Guitar is a heavily modified Ibanez Musician MC150PW, used for most heavy Limp Bizkit riffs of this era.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive high-gain saturationarticulate low-end punchfocused midrange attackmodern nu-metal heavinesscrisp, defined pick attackclear note separation under gainminimal ambiencecontrolled feedbackstaccato, rhythmic riffing

Difficulty

The riff requires precise, aggressive palm muting and rhythmic accuracy, with fast alternate picking and a percussive, staccato feel typical of nu-metal. While not technically advanced in terms of note choice, the physical stamina and tightness needed push it above intermediate.