Solo Tone

Pneuma

TOOL

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom Silverburst (1979)

AmpDiezel VH4 (channel 2 or 3, clean/edge-of-breakup setting), blended with Marshall Super Bass (1976, clean channel)

PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (T-Top, passive, covered)

Amp Settings

gain4.5

bass5.5

mid7

treble6.5

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

delayBoss Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

chorusBoss Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble

flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger

Notes

Studio recording, 2018-2019 (Fear Inoculum sessions). Adam Jones is known to blend the Diezel VH4 and Marshall Super Bass for clean and edge-of-breakup tones. No evidence of live-specific gear for the clean solo section. Settings estimated based on genre, era, and typical Adam Jones studio rig. No evidence of additional preamp or cab sims for clean section.

Tone Character(10)

glassy and articulatewarm low endpresent, vocal-like midsclear note separationslightly compressedopen and dynamicambient with subtle modulationnot harsh or scoopedstudio-recorded claritysustained, ringing cleans

Difficulty

The clean solo requires accurate finger placement, subtle dynamic control, and precise timing to match the delay and modulation effects, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Amp Settings for Adam Jones of Tool - Guitar Chalk Adam Jones tone on 'Pneuma' : r/GuitarAmps - Reddit Tool Pneuma dirt tones | Guitar Forum - The Gear Page

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