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Nu Metal1994Korn (self-titled)

Blind Amp Settings

by Korn (Munky / Head)

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Original Recording Settings

Well-SourcedResearched tone data for "Blind" by Korn (Munky / Head)

Original Gear

Guitar
Head: 1991 Ibanez Universe UV7PWH (white). Munky: 1990 Ibanez Universe UV7BK (black). Blind intro: old Silvertone amp-in-case guitar (Munky, mic placed against guitar body).
Pickups
DiMarzio Blaze — neck-position pickup installed in the bridge position (confirmed from 1996 Guitar School, 1999 Guitar mag citations via SevenString.org) (Bridge humbucker)
Amplifier
Debated — most likely Marshall JCM 900 (Munky) + Hughes & Kettner Attax (Head), through Marshall and H&K 4x12 cabinets. NOT Mesa Boogie Rectifiers (those were strictly live rigs).
Channel
High-gain
Tuning
A Standard 7-string (A-D-G-C-F-A-D) — standard 7-string tuning down 1 whole step
Pickup Selector
Bridge humbucker. By 1996, all other pickups were physically removed, but on the 1994 debut recording the UV7 likely still had stock multi-pickup configuration.
Strings
Dean Markley Light Top Heavy Bottom: .010-.013-.017-.030-.042-.052-.060 (low A string is a bass string)

Conflicting sources from multiple period magazines. Korn Equipment FAQ lists Munky: Marshall JCM 900, Head: H&K Attax. SevenString.org cites 1995 magazine stating 'JCM 900s in the studio.' The band's own Indigo Sludge pedal description hints at 'Marshall tube amps, Peavey solid states, and modified Boss Metal Zones.' Ross Robinson (producer) found a box of 1970s vintage guitar pedals at Indigo Ranch belonging to studio owner Richard Kaplan. Recorded at Indigo Ranch Studios, Malibu, on vintage API console.

Amp Settings

Gain
10.0
Bass
10.0
Mid
1.5
Treble
7.0
Volume
7.0
Settings from Head's guitar tech, reported in 1996 Guitar School magazine (cited via SevenString.org). Head: Bass 10, Mids 3, Treble 5-6, Gain 10. Munky: Bass 10, Mids 0, Treble 9, Gain 10. Values here averaged. These reflect era-general preferences, not necessarily exact session knob positions from the May-June 1994 Indigo Ranch recording. The amp these settings apply to is not 100% specified. Forum skepticism about Bass 10 + Gain 10 on a Mesa Rectifier supports these being for a Marshall or H&K where such settings are more workable.

Effects Chain

→
Richard Kaplan's modified 'Bigger Muff' (custom tube-based Big Muff variant with separate 9VDC and ~250V power supplies)
Fuzz (modified)
→
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser
Phaser
→
Dunlop Crybaby Wah
Wah
→
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Overdrive
→
1.Richard Kaplan's modified 'Bigger Muff' (custom tube-based Big Muff variant with separate 9VDC and ~250V power supplies) — Built by Indigo Ranch studio owner. Used specifically on 'Blind' and 'Shoots and Ladders.' Munky: 'We don't use it live cause it's too noisy.' KEY ingredient of the debut tone — also used on Sepultura's Roots.
2.Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser — Used on 'Blind' — creates 'wind-like' effect. From the box of 1970s vintage pedals found at Indigo Ranch.
3.Dunlop Crybaby Wah — Manual expression — used during specific sections of 'Blind.'
4.Ibanez Tube Screamer — Likely used as overdrive/boost

Playing Technique

Pioneered percussive, rhythmic approach. Heavy palm muting on low strings creating percussive chugging. Syncopated, hip-hop-influenced rhythms — deliberate grooves rather than traditional metal. Aggressive downpicking with rhythmic muting. Call-and-response vamps between the two guitarists. 'Scratching' technique: muted strings mimicking DJ scratching. Minimal lead guitar/soloing. Band recorded most of the album playing simultaneously. Wah pedal used on specific sections.

Sources+
  1. Rolling Stone Australia — 'Korn's 1994 Debut: The Oral History' (Dec 2014) — Ross Robinson quotes about vintage pedals
  2. 1996 Guitar School magazine — Head's tech amp settings (cited via SevenString.org)
  3. SevenString.org — 'Korn Gear' thread citing 1996 Guitar School, 1999 Guitar mag, 1996 Guitar World
  4. Korn Equipment FAQ (Tripod/Psycada) — period gear list with song-by-song pedal usage
  5. MusicRadar — 'Rig Tour: Korn' (Feb 2016) — Munky direct quotes
  6. Guitar World — Korn Indigo Sludge Preamp + Fuzz Pedal article — confirms pedal-driven tone
  7. Premier Guitar — 'Rig Rundown: Korn' — live rig details
  8. Rig-Talk — 'Korn's original tone' thread — Bigger Muff pedal, studio amp debate
  9. Tedium — 'How Korn Reshaped Seven-String Guitars' (Dec 2023)

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