Riff Tone

Mexicola

Queens of the Stone Age

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarGretsch G6131T Duo Jet (likely, or Gretsch G6143 Spectra Sonic as sometimes cited for early QOTSA)

AmpPeavey Series 260 Standard PA

PickupsGretsch Filter'Tron humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass7.5

mid7

treble6

reverb0

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzUnivox Univox Super-Fuzz

eqBoss Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer

Notes

Studio recording, 1998 debut album. Gear confirmed for early QOTSA era, but exact guitar model for 'Mexicola' is debated between Gretsch G6131T Duo Jet and G6143 Spectra Sonic. No evidence of live/tour rig for this song. Pedals and amp confirmed for studio use. No evidence of Fender Jazzmaster or Ampeg V4 for this specific track.

Tone Character(10)

massive, thick fuzz wallsaturated, compressed sustaintight, percussive low endmid-forward, punchy attackraw, gritty stoner fuzzaggressive, sludgy riffingminimal clarity, maximal saturationno audible reverb or ambienceheavy, palm-muted chugsdistinct octave fuzz overtones

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight palm muting and control of a heavily saturated fuzz tone, with some challenge in keeping the riff articulate under high gain and down-tuned conditions.