Riff Tone
Supernaut
Black Sabbath
Guitarmetal1970s
Original Gear
Guitar1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely with P-90 pickups, possibly replaced with John Birch custom pickups by 1972)
AmpLaney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s model, likely LA100BL or LA100SM, into Laney 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12H speakers)
PickupsP-90 single coils or John Birch custom pickups (exact model debated for Vol. 4 era, but P-90s most likely for 'Supernaut' riff)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid7.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1972 (Vol. 4 sessions). No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; distortion from cranked Laney amp. Pickup and amp details inferred from era and available interviews, as no direct studio documentation for 'Supernaut' riff exists.
Tone Character(10)
boxy and crunchymidrange honktight and percussiveedgy attackclear note separationBritish amp bitenot overly saturatedaggressive and punchyamp-driven distortionno audible effects
Difficulty
The riff is fast and requires tight, aggressive picking with precise palm muting and timing, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1970s
Original Gear
Guitar1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely with P-90 pickups, possibly replaced with John Birch custom pickups by 1972)
AmpLaney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s model, likely LA100BL or LA100SM, into Laney 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12H speakers)
PickupsP-90 single coils or John Birch custom pickups (exact model debated for Vol. 4 era, but P-90s most likely for 'Supernaut' riff)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid7.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1972 (Vol. 4 sessions). No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; distortion from cranked Laney amp. Pickup and amp details inferred from era and available interviews, as no direct studio documentation for 'Supernaut' riff exists.
Tone Character(10)
boxy and crunchymidrange honktight and percussiveedgy attackclear note separationBritish amp bitenot overly saturatedaggressive and punchyamp-driven distortionno audible effects
Difficulty
The riff is fast and requires tight, aggressive picking with precise palm muting and timing, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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