Riff Tone

The Outsider

A Perfect Circle

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Studio (custom, repaired headstock, Tom Anderson H3 bridge humbucker, H1 neck humbucker)

AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording likely, based on era and genre; live rig may have included Fractal Axe-Fx II for effects)

PickupsTom Anderson H3 (bridge), Tom Anderson H1 (neck) humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2003 release. Guitar is a Les Paul Studio with Tom Anderson pickups, used for the riff section of 'The Outsider'. Tuning is C# standard. No explicit mention of pedals or amp settings for the studio recording; live rig includes Fractal Axe-Fx II for effects. No evidence of additional pedals in the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingfocused midrange puncharticulate low-end chugmodern alternative metal saturationclear note separation under gainslightly compressed attackdense, layered guitar soundminimal ambience/reverbheavy, driving powerchords

Difficulty

The riff requires precise palm muting, tight rhythm, and clarity in a low tuning with high gain, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Rig Rundown: A Perfect Circle - Premier Guitar THE OUTSIDER TAB by A Perfect Circle @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com Nail Billy Howerdel's distinctive playing style with this A Perfect Circle-style guitar lesson | MusicRadar

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