Riff Tone

Risk

Deftones

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarESP Stef B-7 (Stephen Carpenter signature 7-string, likely used for 'Risk' studio recording)

AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (likely Rev F or G, as used by Carpenter in late 1990s/early 2000s studio sessions)

PickupsEMG 81-7 (bridge, active humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid4

treble6.5

reverb0

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, White Pony era (2000). Gear based on known studio rig for this album; no direct confirmation for 'Risk' but consistent with era and sound. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this riff section.

Tone Character(9)

tight and percussivescooped midschunky low endaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate pick attackdry and focusedminimal ambiencebridge pickup clarity

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to the need for tight palm muting, precise rhythm, and maintaining clarity under high gain. No advanced lead techniques, but the tone and attack demand control.

Sources

deftones guitar tone : r/guitarpedals - Reddit How do i make my amp settings sound like deftones song ... - Reddit Deftones' Stephen Carpenter & Sergio Vega's Gear - Premier Guitar

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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