Riff Tone

Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart (Early Version) [2021 Remaster]

Stone Temple Pilots

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Special (likely 1970s, P-90s) or Fender Stratocaster (debated, but Les Paul Special most likely for studio recording)

AmpMarshall JMP or Marshall Super Lead (vintage 1970s, likely JMP 50 or 100 watt head)

PickupsP-90 single-coil (Gibson Les Paul Special) or Fender single-coil (if Strat used); most evidence points to P-90s

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1995-1996 (original album era, applies to 2021 remaster early version). Dean DeLeo is known for using a Les Paul Special with P-90s into a Marshall JMP for heavy riff sections on 'Tiny Music...'. No evidence of significant pedal use for the main riff; distortion is amp-based. Some forum debate about Stratocaster use, but most credible sources and interviews point to Les Paul Special with P-90s for the main riff.

Tone Character(10)

aggressive and saturatedtight and percussivemid-forward punchraw P-90 bitearticulate and definedslightly compressedminimal reverb, drydynamic pick attackopen and presentno modulation or time-based effects

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast palm muting, syncopated power chord changes, and precise muting/slides, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Stone Temple Pilots Members, Gear & Sound Rig tour: Stone Temple Pilots | MusicRadar What guitars did Dean use on STP's first five albums?

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