Tone library / Pantera / Cowboys from Hell

Cowboys from Hell amp settings — Randall RG 100 ES

The Pantera guitar tone for “Cowboys from Hell”, dialed in for a Randall RG 100 ES with a Jackson JS22 Dinky. Studio version, Cowboys from Hell (1990)

Original rig

Randall RG100ES solid-state head, Dean ML 'From Hell' with Bill Lawrence L-500XL (bridge), Furman PQ-4 parametric EQ, MXR 6-Band Graphic EQ, Rocktron Hush noise gate

Tight, aggressive, scooped-mid thrash with chainsaw highs and massive low-end thump

Amp settings — Randall RG 100 ES

CHANNELChannel 2 (Distortion)BOOSTSustain Boost On

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	10
Bass	10
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	10
Reverb	0
Master	3

Don’t have a Randall RG 100 ES? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01MXR 6-Band Graphic EQ (M109)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This pedal is CRITICAL to Dime's tone — it provides the front-end boost and mid-scoop shaping that defines the chainsaw attack. The 800Hz dimed with scooped low-mids creates the signature sound. Without it, you lose 40% of the tone.

100Hz 9 · 200Hz 9 · 400Hz 9 · 800Hz 10 · 1.6kHz 7 · 3.2kHz 10

02Noise Gate (Boss NS-2 or similar)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. High gain + boosted EQ = massive noise floor. A gate is essential for tight, controlled chugs. Place after the EQ, before amp input.

Threshold 7 · Decay 3

Why these settings

You own the actual amp used on the record — no amp voicing compensation needed. Your Jackson JS22's ceramic humbucker is hotter and brighter than Dime's L-500XL, so the tone will be slightly more sizzly in the highs. The major gap is the missing EQ pedals — Dime's tone was shaped heavily BEFORE the amp. Without an external EQ, push bass and presence to max, keep mids scooped at 3, and treble moderate at 7 to avoid ice-pick highs from your Jackson's bridge pickup.

PRO TIPDime picked extremely hard with a sharp attack directly over the bridge pickup pole pieces — this is where the percussive 'clank' comes from. Lighten up and you lose the tone. Also, the original was tuned standard E but approximately 1/4 step flat — if matching the record exactly, tune to ~A=432Hz.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Randall RG 100 ES. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.