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rhythm guitar from “iron man” by black sabbath | ToneDB

iron man

black sabbath

rhythm guitar

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A thick, dark, and heavily saturated rhythm guitar tone with a distinct fuzzy edge, defining the early heavy metal sound. It's powerful and menacing, with a pronounced low-mid growl and surprisingly clear attack despite the gain.

Signal Chain

Instrument: 1965 Gibson SG Special "Monkey" (heavily modified, with John Birch custom P90-style Simmag DiMarzio pickups)

Amp: Laney LA 100 BL (100-watt tube head)

Microphone: Shure SM57 (or similar dynamic microphone)

Processing: Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (modified for full-range boost)

Other: Guitar tuned to E standard for the main riff. Amp cranked to achieve natural valve overdrive. Light gauge strings (e.g., .008-.038). Close microphone placement on the speaker cabinet, likely aiming at the edge of the dust cap for a balanced sound.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded for the album *Paranoid*, released in 1970.
  • The sessions took place at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios in London.
  • Tony Iommi's signature sound was achieved by pushing his Laney amp hard with the modified Rangemaster, creating a unique form of distortion before dedicated distortion pedals were common.
  • Iommi used light gauge strings and custom thimbles on his injured fretting hand fingertips, which influenced his playing style, vibrato, and string bending.
  • The iconic vocal effect at the song's intro (Ozzy Osbourne's voice through a ring modulator or Leslie speaker) is separate from the guitar tone of the main riff.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Gibson SG or a similar mahogany-bodied guitar, preferably with P90 pickups or lower-output vintage-style humbuckers.
  • Employ a British-voiced tube amplifier (Laney or Marshall Plexi/JMP style) and ensure it's loud enough for power tube saturation.
  • A crucial component is a treble booster (like a Dallas Rangemaster clone) or a full-range boost pedal placed in front of the amp to drive the input stage.
  • Tune your guitar to E standard for the main riff of "Iron Man".
  • Roll off the guitar's tone knob slightly (or adjust amp EQ) to achieve the characteristic dark, somewhat 'wooly' but still cutting sound.
  • Consider using light gauge strings (e.g., 8-38 or 9-42) for easier bending and a slightly snappier attack, similar to Iommi's setup.
  • Experiment with picking dynamics; Iommi's attack was strong and deliberate.

Sources