Riff Tone
The Ballad
Testament
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarESP M-II Custom (Alex Skolnick signature, 1987-88 era)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head with 25-watt speakers
PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge), Seymour Duncan '59 (neck) humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass4
mid5
treble7
reverb0.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Notes
Studio recording for 'The Ballad' (distorted riff section), 1988. Amp boosted with Ibanez Tube Screamer. No evidence of other pedals or rack effects for rhythm/riff tone. Settings and gear confirmed for 'The New Order' album era.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped low endaggressive palm-muted chugshigh-gain saturationarticulate riff clarityfocused midrange punchclassic thrash metal crunchfast alternate picking responsetight low endminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking and palm muting at a medium-fast tempo, with precise rhythm and aggressive attack typical of late 1980s thrash metal.
Sources
Alex’s note choices, use of scales and arpeggios, and classy vibrato was a perfect recipe for his metal guitar legend status”: What makes Testament’s Alex Skolnick one of thrash’s most cerebral players | Guitar WorldTestament – The New Order - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | EquipboardTestament – The Legacy - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarESP M-II Custom (Alex Skolnick signature, 1987-88 era)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head with 25-watt speakers
PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge), Seymour Duncan '59 (neck) humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass4
mid5
treble7
reverb0.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Sources
Alex’s note choices, use of scales and arpeggios, and classy vibrato was a perfect recipe for his metal guitar legend status”: What makes Testament’s Alex Skolnick one of thrash’s most cerebral players | Guitar WorldTestament – The New Order - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | EquipboardTestament – The Legacy - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard
Notes
Studio recording for 'The Ballad' (distorted riff section), 1988. Amp boosted with Ibanez Tube Screamer. No evidence of other pedals or rack effects for rhythm/riff tone. Settings and gear confirmed for 'The New Order' album era.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped low endaggressive palm-muted chugshigh-gain saturationarticulate riff clarityfocused midrange punchclassic thrash metal crunchfast alternate picking responsetight low endminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking and palm muting at a medium-fast tempo, with precise rhythm and aggressive attack typical of late 1980s thrash metal.
More Testament tones
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- For the Love of Pain · riff
- Over the Wall · solo
- Powerslave · riff
- Practice What You Preach · riff
- The Legacy · solo