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Distorted Tone

War Pigs

Black Sabbath

BassHeavy metal1970s

Original Gear

BassFender Precision-style bass (passive P-style)
AmpVintage tube amps (e.g., Ampeg SVT in studio; Hartke Kilo live; Ashdown Head of Doom/Ashdown ABM EVO IV for later live shows)
PickupsPassive pickups (Precision-style)

Amp Settings

gain6.5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
presence6
compression4

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Geezer Butler used passive P-style basses, sometimes B.C. Rich or Jaydee in studio; in early era likely Precision-style. Live rigs evolved from Hartke Kilo to massive Ashdown custom rigs.

Tone Character(4)
warm tube overdrivemid-forward clarityheavy low endslightly distorted, gritty tone

Difficulty

The bass lines in “War Pigs” are melodic and syncopated, with layered parts in the mix, requiring solid fingerstyle technique and control.

Sources

Geezer Butler Amp Settings & Gear – Black Sabbath Bass Tone!Vintage Guitar magazine interview with Geezer ButlerGeezer Butler’s live rig – Hartke Kilo and Ampeg SVTAshdown rig for final shows

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War Pigs settings for your amp

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.

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War Pigs by Black Sabbath — Distorted Tone Settings | ToneAdapt