Song Rig
Mountain Song
Dave Navarro · Nothing's Shocking · 1988
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
The defining Jane's Addiction riff — a drop-D-influenced power chord sequence played with more attack than refinement. Navarro's tone here is raw, almost garage-like, with the JCM800 the primary sound source and very little processing. The aggression comes from performance, not pedals.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson Les Paul Standard (bridge, volume 10)
- 2Marshall JCM800 2203 (high channel volume)
- 3Marshall 4×12
Amp Settings
High bass content — the riff benefits from extra low-end weight. The amp is the distortion; keep additional pedals out of the chain and let the Marshall do the work.
Technique
How to Play It
Picking attack is deliberately heavy — Navarro digs into the strings harder than most rock players, producing a sharp transient that cuts through the dense bass and drum arrangement.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Les Paul → Marshall JCM800 or Orange Rockerverb at high volume → no pedals. Alternatively: Boss DS-1 or ProCo RAT into a clean amp for a similar tone at lower volumes.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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