Riff Tone

Root deftones

Unknown Artist

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP Stef-T7 (or similar 7-string, likely ESP M7 or ESP Stef B-7 for Adrenaline era)

AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

PickupsEMG 81-7 (bridge humbucker, active, likely for Adrenaline era riffing)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid4

treble6.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808

Notes

Studio recording, 1997 (Adrenaline era). Guitar is a 7-string ESP with EMG active pickups, plugged into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier. Settings are based on studio-focused sources and era-appropriate gear. No evidence of live rig or alternate amp for this recording.

Tone Character(10)

thick and heavytight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationchunky low-end puncharticulate attackmodern metal claritytight palm-muted chugsextended range riffing

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting, syncopated rhythm, and control of a 7-string guitar, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Deftones Amp Settings (2026): Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Setup and Tone Tips - Guitar Chalk deftones guitar tone : r/guitarpedals - Reddit

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