What guitar did Dimebag use on Floods solo?

Dimebag Darrell used his Dean ML guitar on the "Floods" solo. The ML was his signature guitar shape and featured high-output pickups that contributed to his aggressive lead tone.

How to get Dimebag's Floods guitar tone?

Start with a Dean ML or similar high-output guitar into a high-gain amp like a Randall RG100H. Boost the front end with an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer for extra saturation and sustain. Add MXR EVH 5150 Chorus and delay for the spacious, ethereal quality.

What amp did Pantera use on Floods?

Dimebag used a Randall RG100H head for his guitar parts on "Floods." This was his main amp throughout much of Pantera's career and provided the high-gain foundation for his tone.

What effects did Dimebag use on Floods solo?

The "Floods" solo features an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer for drive, MXR EVH 5150 Chorus for modulation, and delay effects. These effects created the sustained, atmospheric quality that makes the solo so emotive.

Who produced Pantera Floods?

"Floods" was produced and engineered by Terry Date at Dallas Sound Lab in Dallas, Texas. Date was known for his work with heavy metal bands and helped capture Dimebag's massive guitar sound.

lead guitar from "floods" by pantera

floods

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lead guitar

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Tone Profile

A searing, sustained, and emotive guitar lead with a touch of chorus and delay, perfect for conveying raw emotion and soaring melodies.

Shop This Rig

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Dean ML(instrument)
Randall RG100H(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer(processing)
MXR EVH 5150 Chorus(processing)
TC Electronic延时效果器(processing)

The Story

Dimebag Darrell used his signature Dean ML guitar through a Randall RG100H head for his solo on "Floods." He boosted the high-gain amp with an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer for added sustain and saturation. MXR EVH 5150 Chorus and delay effects were added to create the spacious, ethereal quality of the lead tone. The track was produced and engineered by Terry Date at Dallas Sound Lab.

Production Credits

Producer: Terry Date

Engineer: Terry Date

Recorded at: Dallas Sound Lab, Dallas, TX

Signal Chain

Instrument: Dean MLShop on Reverb

Amp: Randall RG100HShop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Processing: Ibanez TS9 Tube ScreamerShop on Reverb, MXR EVH 5150 ChorusShop on Reverb, TC Electronic延时效果器Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Dean ML-style guitar and a high-gain amplifier like the Randall RG100H.
Use a Tube Screamer to push the amp into further distortion for added sustain and saturation.
Experiment with chorus and delay settings to achieve the desired level of ambience and depth. Try an MXR EVH 5150 Chorus.
Focus on playing with vibrato and feel to capture the emotive qualities of Dimebag's playing.

Original Gear

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Dean MLShop on Reverb(guitar)
Randall RG100HShop on Reverb(amp)
Ibanez TS9 Tube ScreamerShop on Reverb(pedal)
Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)
MXR EVH 5150 ChorusShop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Dean ML 79 StandardShop on Reverb$300-$400

Alternative to: Dean ML

Currently manufactured version of Dimebag's signature guitar shape with similar pickup configuration for his aggressive tone

Randall RD100H DiavloShop on Reverb$800-$1000

Alternative to: Randall RG100H

Modern Randall high-gain head that captures the saturated, compressed tone of the vintage RG series

Ibanez TS9 Tube ScreamerShop on Reverb$100-$120

Alternative to: Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Same pedal Dimebag used - still manufactured and essential for that mid-boosted drive that pushes the amp

MXR EVH 5150 ChorusShop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: MXR EVH 5150 Chorus

The exact chorus pedal used on the recording, still available new and provides that signature spacious modulation

Neural DSP Archetype PetrucciPlugin Boutique$100-$130