Riff Tone

Megalodon

Mastodon

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (Brent Hinds) or Gibson Les Paul Silverburst (Bill Kelliher)

AmpMarshall JCM800 (likely studio amp for Leviathan era)

PickupsHumbuckers (likely Gibson 498T/490R or Burstbucker for Hinds, Gibson 'Dirty Fingers' for Kelliher)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid6

treble7

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, Leviathan album (2004). No direct source confirms exact guitar/amp for 'Megalodon' riff, but era and band interviews indicate Les Pauls into Marshall JCM800s with minimal pedals. D Standard tuning confirmed. Overdrive pedal likely used to boost amp.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingchunky rhythmarticulate riffingclear note separationdynamic attackmoderate saturationslightly scooped midspunchy low endfocused high end

Difficulty

The riff section of 'Megalodon' requires fast, accurate picking, tight palm muting, and the ability to execute complex, shifting riff patterns at high speed, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

The music theory of Mastodon : r/mastodonband Tuning List : r/mastodonband Techniques for Mastodon guitar style? : r/mastodonband

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