Riff Tone

Song for the Deaf

Queens of the Stone Age

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarMaton BB1200 DLX

AmpAmpeg VT-40 (studio), Ampeg V-4B (also used on album), Orange Matamp OR120 (sometimes layered)

PickupsCustom-wound high-output humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6.5

mid7

treble6

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostZvex Zvex Super Hard On

overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive

eqStone Deaf Stone Deaf PDF-1 Parametric Filter

Notes

Studio recording, 2002. Main riff tracked with Maton BB1200 DLX into Ampeg VT-40, sometimes layered with Ampeg V-4B or Orange Matamp OR120. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific part.

Tone Character(10)

thick and punchymid-heavy and aggressivegritty but controlledtight and percussivearticulate heavy riffingwarm with natural compressionraw and focusedavoids muddinessrich sustainamp-driven distortion

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its tight, percussive palm muting, syncopated rhythm, and the need for dynamic control to keep clarity with heavy distortion.

Sources

Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) Amp Settings (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk Gear Rundown: Josh Homme QOTSA gear on Songs for the Deaf - Effects and Processors Queens of the Stone Age – Songs For The Deaf - Gear & ...

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account