Riff Tone
The Art of Shredding
Pantera
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarDean ML (likely 1981 model, custom finish, as used on Cowboys from Hell sessions)
AmpRandall RG100HT (rackmount solid-state head, as confirmed by Dimebag for Cowboys from Hell recording)
PickupsBill Lawrence L-500XL bridge humbucker
Amp Settings
gain8
bass5
mid3
treble7.5
reverb0
presence7
Effects & Signal Chain
eqMXR MXR 6-Band EQ (blue version)
eqFurman Furman PQ-3 (or PQ-4) Parametric EQ
noise_gateBoss Boss Noise Gate (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1990. Dimebag used his Dean ML with Bill Lawrence L-500XL pickup into a Randall RG100HT head, with MXR 6-Band EQ and Furman PQ-3/PQ-4 parametric EQ in front. No evidence of other pedals for the riff section. Settings are for studio, not live.
Tone Character(10)
tight low-endscooped midsaggressive and bitinghigh-gain saturationpercussive palm-mutingarticulate pick attackchunky rhythmcrisp treblefocused and dryminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff section demands advanced right-hand technique, tight palm muting, and fast, accurate picking at high tempo, with complex rhythmic patterns and little room for error.
Sources
Dimebag Darrell’s guitars: the Pantera legend’s gear in depth | Guitar WorldPantera – Cowboys from Hell - Gear & Equipment Used on the AlbumDimebag Darrell guitar lesson: learn his metal riff style | Guitar WorldGuitar Strength: 10 Commandments of Playing Guitar in the Style of Dimebag Darrell, Part 2 | Guitar World
This tone has been researched 4 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarDean ML (likely 1981 model, custom finish, as used on Cowboys from Hell sessions)
AmpRandall RG100HT (rackmount solid-state head, as confirmed by Dimebag for Cowboys from Hell recording)
PickupsBill Lawrence L-500XL bridge humbucker
Amp Settings
gain8
bass5
mid3
treble7.5
reverb0
presence7
Effects & Signal Chain
eqMXR MXR 6-Band EQ (blue version)
eqFurman Furman PQ-3 (or PQ-4) Parametric EQ
noise_gateBoss Boss Noise Gate (model unknown)
Sources
Dimebag Darrell’s guitars: the Pantera legend’s gear in depth | Guitar WorldPantera – Cowboys from Hell - Gear & Equipment Used on the AlbumDimebag Darrell guitar lesson: learn his metal riff style | Guitar WorldGuitar Strength: 10 Commandments of Playing Guitar in the Style of Dimebag Darrell, Part 2 | Guitar World
This tone has been researched 4 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1990. Dimebag used his Dean ML with Bill Lawrence L-500XL pickup into a Randall RG100HT head, with MXR 6-Band EQ and Furman PQ-3/PQ-4 parametric EQ in front. No evidence of other pedals for the riff section. Settings are for studio, not live.
Tone Character(10)
tight low-endscooped midsaggressive and bitinghigh-gain saturationpercussive palm-mutingarticulate pick attackchunky rhythmcrisp treblefocused and dryminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff section demands advanced right-hand technique, tight palm muting, and fast, accurate picking at high tempo, with complex rhythmic patterns and little room for error.
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