Riff Tone

Vicarious

TOOL

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom Silverburst (1979)

AmpDiezel VH4 (primary for riff section on 10,000 Days)

PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (late 70s T-Top or Tim Shaw, covered)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

delayBoss Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

fuzzLovetone Lovetone Big Cheese

overdriveLovetone Lovetone Brown Source

tremoloGig-FX Gig-FX Chopper

Notes

Studio recording, 2005-2006. Adam Jones is known to blend multiple amps (Diezel VH4, Marshall Super Bass, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier), but Diezel VH4 is widely cited as the main amp for the heavy riff sections of 'Vicarious' on the album. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this part.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivechunky, saturated distortionclear note definition under heavy gainarticulate palm-muted chugsmassive, modern metal wall of soundslightly scooped but present midscontrolled low end, not boomycrisp, aggressive pick attackminimal ambient reverbfocused, studio-polished heaviness

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, articulate palm muting and precise rhythmic control at a moderate tempo, with complex syncopation and dynamic picking under high-gain conditions.

Sources

Tool – 10,000 Days - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album How do I get Adam's guitar tone? Specifically for “Vicarious”? - Reddit

This tone has been researched 11 times by the community

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