Solo Tone

Machine Gun Blues

Social Distortion

Guitarpunk2010s+

Original Gear

Guitar1976 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop (heavily modified, P-90 pickups)

AmpFender Bassman (blackface-era, modified for wattage reduction) into Marshall 4x10 cabinets

PickupsGibson P-90 single-coil (soapbar) pickups

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive

Notes

Studio recording, 2010 (album: Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes). Mike Ness uses a cranked, modded Bassman with a Boss SD-1 for solo boost. No evidence of additional effects or amp-based delay/chorus. Settings and gear confirmed for studio, not live.

Tone Character(10)

pushed, gritty overdrivenatural tube compressionclassic rock crunchold-school rockabilly snarlbiting attackpresent upper midstight, focused lowsdynamic and touch-sensitiveurgent, aggressive solo feelslightly compressed sustain

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate to advanced picking speed, aggressive phrasing, and tight timing at a fast tempo, but does not involve advanced shred techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

Social Distortion Amp Settings - Guitar Chalk Gibson Announces the Mike Ness 1976 Les Paul Deluxe - Premier Guitar Mike Ness | Equipboard Dear Guitar Hero: Mike Ness | Guitar World

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