Riff Tone

Metal Health (Bang Your Head)

Quiet Riot

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarWashburn A10 (likely HH configuration, as seen in music video and period photos)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203

PickupsHumbuckers (exact model unknown, likely stock Washburn A10 humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid5.5

treble7.5

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1983. Guitar and amp confirmed by period photos and interviews. No evidence of additional preamp or rack gear for the riff section. Effects chain is minimal for the main riff. All gear references are tied to the 'Metal Health' album era, not later live rigs.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive and saturatedclassic British crunchpunchy midrangearticulate pick attackminimal ambienceraw and energeticdriving power chordsfocused, cutting soundchunky palm-muted riffing

Difficulty

The riff requires solid palm muting and fast alternate picking at a high tempo, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm patterns typical of 80s metal.

Sources

Carlos Cavazo - Equipboard Carlos Cavazo on replacing Randy Rhoads & riffing with Ratt

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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