Riff Tone

No Stranger To You...

Loathe

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarGretsch G5260 Electromatic Jet Baritone

AmpFractal Audio Axe-Fx III (amp modeling, likely Mesa Rectifier or Peavey 5150/6505 model for riff section)

PickupsGretsch mini-humbuckers (stock, likely ceramic)

Amp Settings

gain9

bass6

mid4.5

treble6.5

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionEarthQuaker Devices EarthQuaker Devices Zoar

distortionBoss Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal

fuzzBehringer Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz

noise_gateUnknown Noise Gate (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 2020 era. Loathe's guitarists use baritone guitars and digital amp modeling (Axe-Fx III) for their heavy riff tones. Pedalboard is used for experimentation but most core tones are from the Axe-Fx. Evidence from Premier Guitar rig rundown and Equipboard. Live, EHX 44 Magnum power amp is sometimes used, but studio is Axe-Fx direct.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivecrushing, distorted riffsscooped mids for clarityhigh-gain saturationdense and expansiveaggressive palm mutingmodern metalcorebright, articulate attacklow, extended range tuningslightly compressed

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise picking in a very low baritone tuning, with syncopated rhythms and noise control under high gain, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

Loathe Guitarist Erik Bickerstaffe's Rig Revealed - Premier Guitar Loathe Members, Gear & Sound Connor Sweeney, Loathe Guitarist Gear What did the dudes from Loathe do to their guitars so that they sound so disgusting (in a good way)

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