Tone library / Queens of the stone age / Song for the dead

Song for the dead amp settings — Fender Deluxe Reverb

The Queens of the stone age guitar tone for “Song for the dead”, dialed in for a Fender Deluxe Reverb with a Fender Jazzmaster. Studio version, Songs for the Deaf (2002), signature main riff

Original rig

Ampeg V-4B and Peavey solid-state PA heads, Boss SD-1 (boost), Ovation Ultra GP with Super 2 humbuckers

Thick compressed low-mids with aggressive attack, saturated but tight, mid-focused wall of sound
Amp settings — Fender Deluxe Reverb
CHANNELNormal Channel (Input 1)BRIGHToff
GAIN 2 BASS 6 TREBLE 4 REVERB 1 MASTER 4
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass6
Treble4
Reverb1
Master4
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Guitar
PICKUPneck TONE7 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

Used as tight mid-boost in front of the fuzz to replicate Homme's SD-1 push

Drive 0 · Tone 8 · Level 10

02EHX Op-Amp Big Muff

Primary gain source; toggle the tone switch ON to keep midrange cut

Volume 7 · Tone 5 · Sustain 6
Why these settings

The Deluxe Reverb is kept clean with low volume to prevent flubby power-amp sag, letting the Op-Amp Muff generate the heavy Ampeg-style saturation. Stacking the TS9 ahead of the Muff tightens the low end and restores the strong 800Hz midrange that the Fender's naturally scooped EQ lacks. Rolling the Jazzmaster's tone control back to 7 tames single-coil glassiness and mimics Josh Homme's dark neck-pickup bark.

PRO TIPFlip to the Jazzmaster's neck pickup, pick heavily near the fretboard with a thick pick (1.5mm+), and keep the strings choked tight on the main riff staccato hits to nail the dry, percussive Ampeg punch.

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

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