Riff Tone

The Hollow

A Perfect Circle

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom 1991 Classic 1960 Reissue Cinnamon Burst

AmpFractal Audio Axe-Fx II (amp modeling, likely Marshall-based patch), into Marshall AV 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12 Vintage speakers

PickupsTom Anderson humbuckers (exact model unknown, custom for both Howerdel and Iha)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

modulationGRM Tools GRM Tools (Pro Tools plugin, layered passes)

octaveUnknown Octavia pedal (model unknown, simulated in Fractal Axe-Fx II live)

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, simulated in Fractal Axe-Fx II live)

modulationUnknown Ring Modulator (plugin, simulated in Fractal Axe-Fx II live)

modulationUnknown Filter sweep (plugin, simulated in Fractal Axe-Fx II live)

Notes

Studio recording (Mer de Noms, 1999-2000). Billy Howerdel used Pro Tools plugins (GRM Tools) for the main riff, with four different settings layered. The Fractal Axe-Fx II was used to simulate the studio tones live, but the album version is primarily digital amp/effects modeling. No evidence of traditional tube amp used for the main riff in the studio.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm-muted chugssaturated distortionarticulate attackmodern alternative metal edgecompressed low endclear note separationslightly scooped midsstudio-processed claritydynamic, layered guitar sound

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting, precise rhythm, and dynamic control to maintain clarity and articulation under heavy gain and layered effects, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.