Tone library / Pantera / Cowboys from Hell

Cowboys from Hell amp settings — Positive Grid Spark MINI

The Pantera guitar tone for “Cowboys from Hell”, dialed in for a Positive Grid Spark MINI with a Esp Ltd Arrow 200. Studio version, Cowboys from Hell album (1990)

Original rig

Randall RG100ES solid-state head, Dean ML with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup, MXR 6-Band EQ, Furman PQ-3 Parametric EQ, Boss Noise Gate

Tight, scooped, aggressive high-gain with razor-sharp pick attack and controlled low-end thump

Amp settings — Positive Grid Spark MINI

CHANNELMetal amp model (select 'Metal' or 'High Gain' preset as base)BRIGHToffBOOSTon

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Noise Gate (use Spark's built-in gate)

Essential for tight palm mutes — Dime used a Boss Noise Gate to keep rests dead silent

Threshold 4

02Parametric/Graphic EQ (use Spark's built-in EQ block if available)

Dime's MXR 6-Band EQ was critical — scoop 400-800Hz, boost 2-3kHz for cut. If Spark lacks EQ block, rely on amp mid at 2

Low 6 · Low-Mid 3 · Mid 2 · High-Mid 5 · High 7

Why these settings

Your ESP LTD Arrow with humbuckers is a strong match for Dime's hot Bill Lawrence L-500XL. The Spark MINI's digital amp models won't replicate the exact Randall solid-state sizzle, but selecting a tight high-gain Metal model gets close. Key delta: Randall solid-state has a uniquely stiff, non-tubey response — keep the Spark's gain at 8 (not maxed) to preserve pick definition, and scoop mids hard to 2 for the signature Cowboys tone.

PRO TIPDime picked extremely hard right over the bridge pickup with the edge of the pick angled aggressively — this attack is 40% of the tone. Practice palm-muting with your hand closer to the bridge saddles than usual for that machine-gun tightness.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Positive Grid Spark MINI. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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