Riff Tone
Powerslave
Testament
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarJackson Soloist (likely SL1 or custom shop, as used by Alex Skolnick in the late 1980s)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head with 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, late 1980s)
PickupsSeymour Duncan humbuckers (likely TB-4 JB bridge, SH-2N Jazz neck, as per Skolnick's typical setup for this era)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid4.5
treble7
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1988-1989 era. Gear inferred from Alex Skolnick's known rig for 'Practice What You Preach' and contemporary Testament recordings. No direct source for 'Powerslave' cover session, but consistent with all available evidence for this period.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingsaturated high-gainarticulate and clearcrisp pick attackfocused low endslightly scooped midsminimal ambienceMarshall crunchmodern thrash rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking and tight palm muting at high speed, typical of advanced thrash rhythm work. The technical challenge is increased by the need for precise timing and stamina.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarJackson Soloist (likely SL1 or custom shop, as used by Alex Skolnick in the late 1980s)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head with 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, late 1980s)
PickupsSeymour Duncan humbuckers (likely TB-4 JB bridge, SH-2N Jazz neck, as per Skolnick's typical setup for this era)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid4.5
treble7
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1988-1989 era. Gear inferred from Alex Skolnick's known rig for 'Practice What You Preach' and contemporary Testament recordings. No direct source for 'Powerslave' cover session, but consistent with all available evidence for this period.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingsaturated high-gainarticulate and clearcrisp pick attackfocused low endslightly scooped midsminimal ambienceMarshall crunchmodern thrash rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking and tight palm muting at high speed, typical of advanced thrash rhythm work. The technical challenge is increased by the need for precise timing and stamina.
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