Black Label Society (Zakk Wylde) Amp Settings & Guitar Tone

Stillborn (2003)

1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom ('The Grail'), bullseye finish → Marshall JCM800 2203 100W head(s)

Massive, crushing wall-of-sound distortion with enormous low end and searing high-end bite. The cranked Marshall pushed by the SD-1 creates thick, saturated distortion that's aggressive but never mushy. The EMG 81's tight, focused attack and the 6550 power tubes give a more muscular, punchy low end than standard EL34 Marshalls. Scooped enough in the mids to sound modern and heavy, but not so scooped as to lose definition. Pinch harmonics squeal through like a weapon.