Riff Tone

Locust

Machine Head

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarJackson Demmelition V

AmpPeavey 5150 (EVH 5150 head, studio recording)

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain9

bass5.5

mid3.5

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveMaxon Maxon OD808 Overdrive

noise_gateUnknown Noise Gate (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording for 'Unto the Locust' (2011). Guitarists Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel both used Jackson guitars with EMG 81 active pickups into Peavey 5150 amps. Settings and pedals are for the main riff (distorted rhythm) section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationclear note definitionmodern metal cruncharticulate low endbiting treblechunky rhythm attackminimal ambience

Difficulty

The main riff requires advanced palm muting, tight alternate picking, and precise rhythm in a low tuning, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

How to play Machine Head - Locust main riff | MusicRadar Machine Head Guitar Tone? : r/machinehead - Reddit Robb Flynn - Equipboard

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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