Queens of the Stone Age (Josh Homme) Amp Settings & Guitar Tone

No One Knows (2002)

1984 Ovation Ultra GP (Model 1431 solidbody) — double-cutaway, set-neck, mahogany body, maple veneer top → 3-amp blend: (1) Ampeg VT-40 tube combo (primary), (2) Peavey solid-state 'Musician' series, (3) Tube Works RT-2100 MosValve hybrid

Mid-range focused — Valentine confirmed 'Josh likes a lot of 600Hz.' Present and defined despite heavy distortion. Scratchy and gritty. Dry — no reverb or ambient effects. Thick low-end growl from C Standard tuning controlled by bright Super 2 pickups. Un-scooped: heavy mid-range emphasis, opposite of typical scooped metal. Wiry quality from solid-state Peavey blended with tube Ampeg warmth. The 3-amp blend is the core secret — the interaction of solid-state grit, tube warmth/gain, and hybrid character creates complex layered distortion.