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Solo Tone

When She Begins

Social Distortion

Guitarpunk1990s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Deluxe (likely goldtop, mini-humbuckers, as used by Mike Ness in studio in early 1990s)
AmpFender Bassman (vintage, likely silverface, cranked, as per studio rig for Social Distortion in early 1990s)
PickupsMini-humbuckers (Gibson stock, late 1970s Les Paul Deluxe)

Amp Settings

gain7
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb2.5
presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1992 (Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell album). Mike Ness is known for using a late 1970s Gibson Les Paul Deluxe with mini-humbuckers into a cranked vintage Fender Bassman for Social Distortion's studio tones in this era. No evidence of pedal use for the solo, but amp is likely cranked for natural overdrive. No explicit evidence of effects loop or pedalboard for this solo.

Tone Character(9)
thick midrange punchopen, dynamic overdriveslightly compressed attacksinging sustainvintage amp breakuparticulate pick attackwarm, harmonically rich lead tonetouch-sensitive responseclassic punk/roots rock solo sound

Difficulty

The solo requires solid alternate picking, expressive bends/vibrato, and dynamic control to work with the amp's touch-sensitive breakup, but does not involve advanced shred techniques or complex timing.

Sources

Social Distortion: Punk At The Wheel

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When She Begins settings for your amp

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.

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When She Begins by Social Distortion — Solo Tone Settings | ToneAdapt