Riff Tone
Open Car
Porcupine Tree
Guitarrock2000s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1990s/2000s, as used by Steven Wilson in studio for heavy tracks)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, as used by Steven Wilson for heavy Porcupine Tree riffs in this era)
PickupsHumbuckers (Gibson stock, likely 490R/498T or Burstbuckers)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid6
treble6.5
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 2004-2005 (Deadwing sessions). Steven Wilson is known for using a Gibson Les Paul into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for heavy rhythm tracks on 'Open Car'. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the studio riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivechunky palm-muted chugsmodern high-gain saturationarticulated and dynamiccrisp attackclear note separationgnarly, aggressive rhythmminimal ambiencefocused low endslightly scooped mids
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced rhythmic precision, tight palm muting, and dynamic control to maintain clarity under high-gain settings, making it challenging for most intermediate players.
Sources
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1990s/2000s, as used by Steven Wilson in studio for heavy tracks)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, as used by Steven Wilson for heavy Porcupine Tree riffs in this era)
PickupsHumbuckers (Gibson stock, likely 490R/498T or Burstbuckers)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid6
treble6.5
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 2004-2005 (Deadwing sessions). Steven Wilson is known for using a Gibson Les Paul into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for heavy rhythm tracks on 'Open Car'. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the studio riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivechunky palm-muted chugsmodern high-gain saturationarticulated and dynamiccrisp attackclear note separationgnarly, aggressive rhythmminimal ambiencefocused low endslightly scooped mids
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced rhythmic precision, tight palm muting, and dynamic control to maintain clarity under high-gain settings, making it challenging for most intermediate players.
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