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Riff Tone

Headless Cross (2024 Remaster)

Black Sabbath

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Custom (late 1980s, likely with custom modifications by John Birch)
AmpLaney GH100TI Tony Iommi Signature Head (late 1980s, studio recording)

Amp Settings

gain7.5
bass6

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1989 (Headless Cross original), 2024 remaster. Tony Iommi used his signature Laney GH100TI head and a Gibson SG Custom with custom pickups. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the riff section. No explicit pedalboard evidence for this song/era, but treble boost is likely.

Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivesaturated high-gainclear note separationchunky palm-muted chugsmodern metal clarityaggressive bridge pickup bitearticulate low endsinging sustainslight room ambiencefocused midrange punch

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and fast, accurate chord changes under high-gain saturation, demanding good right-hand control and timing.

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