Riff Tone
The Drapery Falls
Opeth
Guitarmetal2000s
Original Gear
GuitarPRS Custom 24 (early 2000s, likely 1999-2000 model, used by Mikael Åkerfeldt in Blackwater Park sessions)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (used for cleans in Blackwater Park studio sessions)
PickupsPRS HFS (bridge) and Vintage Bass (neck) humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
mid5
treble7
reverb3
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
tremoloUnknown Tremolo pedal (model unknown, likely One Control Tiger Lily Tremolo or similar)
Notes
Studio recording, 2000-2001. Mikael Åkerfeldt has stated that a Fender Twin Reverb was used for clean tones on Blackwater Park, including The Drapery Falls. No evidence of live/touring rig for this specific clean part. PRS Custom 24 was Mikael's main guitar for this era.
Tone Character(10)
lush and atmosphericwarm and glassyreverb-washed cleansarticulate and dynamicopen and airyhaunting ambiencesubtle tremolo movementclear note separationexpressive, sensitive pickingno audible distortion
Difficulty
The clean riff requires accurate finger placement for extended chords, smooth arpeggiation, and dynamic control to maintain clarity and expression, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
Mikael Åkerfeldt talks Opeth's Blackwater Park 20 years on: "It was a cross between death metal, black metal and jazz chords" | MusicRadarAmp Settings for Blackwater Park by Opeth (gear and tone tips)Mikael Akerfeldt on 20 years of Opeth's Blackwater Park: "I was bitter and beaten down – I didn’t have much hope for us. All I knew was I liked the music I’d written" | Guitar World
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2000s
Original Gear
GuitarPRS Custom 24 (early 2000s, likely 1999-2000 model, used by Mikael Åkerfeldt in Blackwater Park sessions)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (used for cleans in Blackwater Park studio sessions)
PickupsPRS HFS (bridge) and Vintage Bass (neck) humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
mid5
treble7
reverb3
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
tremoloUnknown Tremolo pedal (model unknown, likely One Control Tiger Lily Tremolo or similar)
Sources
Mikael Åkerfeldt talks Opeth's Blackwater Park 20 years on: "It was a cross between death metal, black metal and jazz chords" | MusicRadarAmp Settings for Blackwater Park by Opeth (gear and tone tips)Mikael Akerfeldt on 20 years of Opeth's Blackwater Park: "I was bitter and beaten down – I didn’t have much hope for us. All I knew was I liked the music I’d written" | Guitar World
Notes
Studio recording, 2000-2001. Mikael Åkerfeldt has stated that a Fender Twin Reverb was used for clean tones on Blackwater Park, including The Drapery Falls. No evidence of live/touring rig for this specific clean part. PRS Custom 24 was Mikael's main guitar for this era.
Tone Character(10)
lush and atmosphericwarm and glassyreverb-washed cleansarticulate and dynamicopen and airyhaunting ambiencesubtle tremolo movementclear note separationexpressive, sensitive pickingno audible distortion
Difficulty
The clean riff requires accurate finger placement for extended chords, smooth arpeggiation, and dynamic control to maintain clarity and expression, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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