Riff Tone
Spiral Architect
Black Sabbath
Guitarmetal1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Special (early 1970s, likely 1965 model with P-90s swapped for humbuckers)
AmpLaney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s, Series I or II, EL34s, 4x12 Laney cab)
PickupsJohn Birch custom humbuckers (likely Superflux or similar, ceramic magnet, high output)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid7.5
treble6.5
reverb0.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
boostDallas (or similar, possibly Hornby Skewes or custom) Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (or similar, model unknown)
fuzzUnknown Fuzz pedal (model unknown, possibly Hornby Skewes or custom)
Notes
Studio recording, 1973 (album released 1973, recorded late 1973 for 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath'). Tony Iommi used his main SG with custom pickups and Laney Supergroup amps for heavy riff sections. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate guitars for this riff. No evidence of effect loop or rack gear in studio for this song.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedmid-forward crunchfuzzy edge on chordstight and percussive attackvintage British amp overdrivearticulate note separationsinging sustainlow-end punchaggressive pick dynamicsclassic heavy metal wall of sound
Difficulty
The riff requires tight timing, complex chord shapes, and aggressive picking, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Special (early 1970s, likely 1965 model with P-90s swapped for humbuckers)
AmpLaney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s, Series I or II, EL34s, 4x12 Laney cab)
PickupsJohn Birch custom humbuckers (likely Superflux or similar, ceramic magnet, high output)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid7.5
treble6.5
reverb0.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
boostDallas (or similar, possibly Hornby Skewes or custom) Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (or similar, model unknown)
fuzzUnknown Fuzz pedal (model unknown, possibly Hornby Skewes or custom)
Notes
Studio recording, 1973 (album released 1973, recorded late 1973 for 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath'). Tony Iommi used his main SG with custom pickups and Laney Supergroup amps for heavy riff sections. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate guitars for this riff. No evidence of effect loop or rack gear in studio for this song.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedmid-forward crunchfuzzy edge on chordstight and percussive attackvintage British amp overdrivearticulate note separationsinging sustainlow-end punchaggressive pick dynamicsclassic heavy metal wall of sound
Difficulty
The riff requires tight timing, complex chord shapes, and aggressive picking, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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