Riff Tone

No One Knows

Queens of the Stone Age

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGretsch G6131T-HT Duo Jet (likely, but not 100% confirmed for this track; Homme is known to have used a Gretsch Duo Jet for the main riff on 'No One Knows')

AmpPeavey Standard 260 PA head, Ampeg VT-40, Tube Works RT2100 (studio blend, as per engineer and multiple sources)

PickupsGretsch Filter'Tron humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7

bass7

mid7.5

treble4.5

reverb0.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

eqBoss Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer

overdrivePaul Cochrane Timmy Overdrive

Notes

Studio recording, 2002 (Songs for the Deaf). Three amps blended for the main riff: Peavey Standard 260 PA, Ampeg VT-40, Tube Works RT2100. Guitar is most likely a Gretsch Duo Jet with Filter'Tron pickups, as per interviews and studio photos. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

thick, fuzzy distortiontight, percussive attackmid-heavy EQpunchy, aggressive rhythmdry, no reverbarticulate, palm-muted chugssaturated, compressed drivedistinctive stoner rock crunchslightly scooped highsfocused low end

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting, consistent barre chord technique, and precise rhythmic control to match the song's aggressive, driving feel.

Sources

QOTSA - Know One Knows Tone (pedal?) - The Gear Page Queens of the Stone Age - No One Knows - Ultimate Guitar Watch Living Room Gear Demos recreate Josh Homme’s guitar tones from Queens of the Stone Age No One Knows | MusicRadar Josh Homme's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | Equipboard

This tone has been researched 21 times by the community

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