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Heavy Metal2003The Blessed Hellride

Stillborn Amp Settings

by Black Label Society (Zakk Wylde)

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Original Recording Settings

Well-SourcedResearched tone data for "Stillborn" by Black Label Society (Zakk Wylde)

Original Gear

Guitar
1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom ('The Grail'), bullseye finish
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge) / EMG 85 (neck) (Bridge (EMG 81))
Amplifier
Marshall JCM800 2203 100W head(s)
Channel
Single channel (preamp cranked)
Tuning
Standard E (E-A-D-G-B-E) — possibly Eb Standard
Pickup Selector
Bridge position, volume and tone both at 10
Strings
GHS Boomers Zakk Wylde Signature .010-.013-.017-.036-.052-.060

Modified with 6550 power tubes instead of stock EL34s for tighter low end and more headroom. Marshall 4x12 straight cab loaded with Electro-Voice EVM-12L 200W speakers. Dual heads run in stereo via Boss CH-1 stereo outputs.

Amp Settings

Gain
10.0
Bass
10.0
Mid
5.0
Treble
9.0
Presence
3.0
Master Volume
4.0
Volume
10.0
These exact settings are documented from the 1991 No More Tears sessions (Guitar World, Chris Gill). Applied to Stillborn by inference — multiple sources confirm Zakk's rig was essentially unchanged from 1991 through the entire BLS era. His 1999 Vintage Guitar interview: 'The same old stuff I always use.' Exact knob positions for The Blessed Hellride sessions are NOT documented.

Effects Chain

→
Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
Overdrive
→
Boss CH-1 Super Chorus
Chorus
→
1.Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive — Used as a boost in front of the already-cranked Marshall. On 80% of the time per guitar tech. Adds sustain, compression, and harmonic richness. Settings documented from Guitar World No More Tears feature.
2.Boss CH-1 Super Chorus — Primary function is signal splitting — stereo outputs feed each Marshall head for wide stereo image. Subtle chorus thickening. By 2003, Zakk had not yet transitioned to MXR signature pedals (that came ~2006-2007).

Playing Technique

Extremely aggressive pick attack with heavy downstrokes for rhythm. Heavy palm muting essential to the tight, percussive main riff character. Signature pinch harmonics as accents throughout riff and solo. Wide, aggressive vibrato on sustained notes. Dunlop Tortex picks (~1.14mm). Volume stays at 10 for heavy sections.

Sources+
  1. Guitar World — 'The Secrets Behind Zakk Wylde's Guitar Tone on No More Tears' (Chris Gill, July 2020) — definitive published amp/pedal settings
  2. Vintage Guitar Magazine (October 1999) — Zakk Wylde interview confirming BLS-era rig: Marshall JCM800 2203, EV-loaded cabs
  3. Kerrang! — 'How I Wrote Stillborn' (Naomi Sanders, Nov 2019) — direct Zakk interview on composition
  4. Guitar FX Depot — Zakk Wylde Guitar Rig (July 2016) — confirms 6550 tubes, signal chain, pedal timeline
  5. Equipboard.com — Zakk Wylde gear page
  6. EMG Pickups official / Sweetwater — EMG ZW Set specs
  7. GHS Strings — GBZW string gauge confirmation
  8. Jemsite forum — tech interview citation: SD-1 on 80% of the time, preamp at 10, master at 4-6

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