Riff Tone

Weak and Powerless (Tilling My Grave Renholder Mix)

A Perfect Circle

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom

AmpFractal Audio Axe-FX II (amp modeling, studio recording, likely Marshall- or Mesa-style model for riff)

PickupsTom Anderson humbuckers (exact model unknown, but confirmed by techs for this era)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid6

treble6.5

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionFractal Audio Overdrive/Distortion (Axe-FX II model, exact type unknown)

reverbFractal Audio or Pro Tools Reverb (Axe-FX II or DAW plugin, type unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 2003 (Thirteenth Step era). Both Billy Howerdel and James Iha used Fractal Axe-FX II for amp and effects modeling on the Renholder Mix. Guitar is a Les Paul Custom with Tom Anderson pickups. No evidence of traditional tube amp or pedalboard on this studio version; all tones/effects likely from Axe-FX II or Pro Tools plugins.

Tone Character(10)

tight, percussive rhythm attackslightly compressed, modern cruncharticulate, not overly saturatedclear note separation in riffmedium sustain with fast decayfocused midrange punchmodest ambience, not drenched in reverbstudio-polished, not rawno excessive fizz or scooped midsdynamic response to palm muting