Dimebag Darrell: razor-tight solid-state grind (Randall RG100ES) with an MXR EQ carving a deep mid scoop. Standard E tuning on this album. On the DSL we go Ultra Gain with the mids pulled down, the TS as a tightener standing in for the solid-state front end, and the GE-7 doing the Dimebag "V".
Front of amp: Cheeky Pint (off) → TS Mini (on, tightener) · FX loop: GE-7 (on, V-scoop) → Spark Mini (solo) → Flashback (off) → HOF (solo only).
Middle at 3.5 + the GE-7 V gets the Dimebag sizzle without disappearing on stage. If the band swallows you anyway, push Middle back to 5 and deepen the GE-7 cut instead — EQ in the loop scoops the distorted tone more surgically than the amp knob.
Dime's solid-state Randall was instant and tight — this is the tube-amp cheat for that attack. Low drive, hot level, tone up for bite.
Off. The amp gain is compressing plenty, and the stop-start riffing needs the silences to stay silent.
On for the solo — the stretches and squeals need to sit above the band. Neck pickup for the bluesy bends, back to bridge for the fast runs.
Off for the riffs — they're machine-tight and dry.
Dime's lead tone has ambience around it — kick this on with the Spark for the solo only.
The classic Dimebag MXR move: lows and highs up, 400–800 Hz carved out. In the loop it sculpts the finished distortion — this IS the CFH sound. If the live mix eats you, ease the 800 Hz cut to −2 first.
Rex clank: bridge pickup blended in and tone nearly open so the pick attack cuts against the scooped guitar.
Rex Brown: pick, tight and clanky enough to read against the scooped guitar. Tone ~90%. Doubles the guitar riff almost everywhere — precision over flash. (Mix stays at min — it's the line-in blend, not part of your tone.)
Standard E tuning on this album (later Pantera drops down — not here). The intro is a galloping open-E pedal; the main riff walks up the A and D strings over it. All tight palm mutes and hard stops.
Main riff — relentless open-E pedal, then the walk-up. Keep the mutes machine-tight. G|---------------------------------|-----------------------------7--| D|---------------------------------|---5---5-7-5-7-5-8-5-7-5-8h9----| A|---------------------------------|-7---7--------------------------| E|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--------------------------------| Solo warning: Dime uses wicked finger stretches — seriously warm up the fretting hand (especially the pinky) before attempting it at tempo.
Two lessons with on-screen tabs:
Opens in a new window — Songsterr blocks embedding in other sites (X-Frame-Options), so it can't be shown inline. Use the "Dimebag Darrell | Guitar" track.