Riff Tone
The Violence
Rise Against
Guitarpunk2010s+
Original Gear
Guitar1982 Gibson SG (stock, with locking tuners, Tune-o-matic bridge)
AmpMarshall JCM2000 DSL (Dual Super Lead), Lead 1 channel
PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (likely 490T/490R or similar, passive)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid6
treble6.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (or similar overdrive/boost pedal)
noise_gateMXR MXR Smart Gate
Notes
Studio recording for 'The Violence' (2017); Tim McIlrath primarily used his 1982 Gibson SG into a Marshall JCM2000 DSL for the main riff/rhythm section. Mesa/Boogie Stiletto and Dual Rectifier were also used on the album, but the Marshall JCM2000 is most directly cited for the riff tone. Settings are for studio context, not live.
Tone Character(10)
tight midrange responsesaturated yet articulate punk/hardcore crunchpunchy, tight distortion without harsh treblebiting claritytight low-end that doesn’t get boomystrong midrange presenceenough high-end for clarity without being ice-pickyadds upper harmonics for biteminimal reverb; dry and present in the mixtight palm muting and fast alternate picking
Difficulty
The main riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarpunk2010s+
Original Gear
Guitar1982 Gibson SG (stock, with locking tuners, Tune-o-matic bridge)
AmpMarshall JCM2000 DSL (Dual Super Lead), Lead 1 channel
PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (likely 490T/490R or similar, passive)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid6
treble6.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (or similar overdrive/boost pedal)
noise_gateMXR MXR Smart Gate
Notes
Studio recording for 'The Violence' (2017); Tim McIlrath primarily used his 1982 Gibson SG into a Marshall JCM2000 DSL for the main riff/rhythm section. Mesa/Boogie Stiletto and Dual Rectifier were also used on the album, but the Marshall JCM2000 is most directly cited for the riff tone. Settings are for studio context, not live.
Tone Character(10)
tight midrange responsesaturated yet articulate punk/hardcore crunchpunchy, tight distortion without harsh treblebiting claritytight low-end that doesn’t get boomystrong midrange presenceenough high-end for clarity without being ice-pickyadds upper harmonics for biteminimal reverb; dry and present in the mixtight palm muting and fast alternate picking
Difficulty
The main riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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