Tone library / Pantera / cemetery gates

cemetery gates amp settings — Fender Bassman 59

The Pantera guitar tone for “cemetery gates”, dialed in for a Fender Bassman 59 with a Squier Affinity Stratocaster. Studio version, Cowboys From Hell (1990) — solo/lead sections

Original rig

Dean ML 'Dean From Hell' with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup → MXR 6-band EQ (mid scoop/boost) → Randall RG100ES solid-state head

Tight, scooped, aggressive high-gain lead with searing treble, compressed attack, and cutting presence
Amp settings — Fender Bassman 59
CHANNELNormal channel (set clean)BRIGHToff
GAIN 2 BASS 6 MID 3 TREBLE 7 PRESENCE 8 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass6
Mid3
Treble7
Presence8
Reverb0
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Boss Metal Zone (MT-2)

This is your primary gain source — the Bassman must stay clean. The Metal Zone's parametric mid EQ is critical: scoop at 400-600Hz to approximate Dime's MXR EQ curve.

Level 7 · High 8 · Low 6 · Mid 3 · Mid Freq 4 · Dist 8

02Delay

Short slapback for solo thickness — Dime used minimal delay. If your delay has a mode selector, use analog or tape mode for warmth.

Level 2 · Feedback 3 · Time 4
Why these settings

The Bassman is a warm, mid-forward tube amp — the opposite of Dime's tight, cold Randall solid-state. The Metal Zone becomes essential here: it provides the scooped, high-gain character the Bassman cannot produce. Amp gain is dropped to 2 to keep it as a clean platform. Treble and presence are pushed to compensate for the Bassman's natural warmth, and mids are cut to 3 to approach Dime's signature scoop. Your Strat's single coils are brighter and lower output than Dime's L-500XL humbucker — the Metal Zone's high output compensates, but expect a slightly thinner, more biting attack rather than Dime's thick chunk.

PRO TIPDime picked aggressively right over the bridge pickup with the edge of the pick for maximum attack and harmonic content. Dig in hard and angle the pick sharply — his tone came as much from his right hand as his gear.

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These settings are for a Fender Bassman 59. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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