Tone library / Pantera / Drag the Waters

Drag the Waters amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

The Pantera guitar tone for “Drag the Waters”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Gibson Explorer. Studio version, The Great Southern Trendkill (1996) — main heavy rhythm riff

Original rig

Dean ML with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge humbucker, Randall RG100ES solid-state head, Furman PQ-3 parametric EQ (pre-gain mid cut/treble boost), MXR 6-band graphic EQ (post-gain V-scoop), Boss NS-2

Aggressive, scooped-mid groove thrash with razor-sharp treble bite, tight palm-muted low-end chunk, and dry solid-state clipping

Amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

CHANNELUltra Gain (OD2 mode)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	8
Presence	7
Reverb	0
Master	4

Don’t have a Marshall DSL40CR? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01MXR 6-Band EQ

RECOMMENDED — not owned (place in FX loop to replicate Dimebag's extreme 800Hz post-gain V-scoop)

100Hz 7 · 200Hz 6 · 400Hz 4 · 800Hz 1 · 1.6kHz 7 · 3.2kHz 8

Why these settings

The Marshall DSL40CR is naturally mid-forward, so the amp's Middle control is cut aggressively to 2 while Bass and Treble/Presence are pushed to approximate Dimebag's solid-state Randall V-curve. Resonance on the DSL40CR rear panel should be set to 7 to deliver the massive low-end thump of his 4x12 cab. If you add an outboard graphic EQ pedal in the FX loop, pull 800Hz completely to achieve his exact hollowed-out bite.

PRO TIPUse extreme heavy pick attack with a hard pick (like a Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm) angled slightly against the heavy strings, and choke palm-mutes tight against the bridge saddle to nail Dime's percussive, mechanical chug.

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These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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