Song Rig
Cemetery Gates
Dimebag Darrell · Cowboys from Hell · 1990
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Cemetery Gates contains Dimebag's most emotional and dynamic playing — the clean intro section uses a direct, crystalline clean tone with reverb that is completely at odds with the band's heavy image, while the climactic solo section showcases his lyrical melodic approach alongside the technical fireworks. The outro solo ascending run into feedback is one of the most goosebump-inducing moments in metal guitar.
Signal Chain
- 1Dean ML
- 2Randall RG100ES (clean and high-gain channels)
- 3Korg SDD-3000 digital delay
- 4MXR Phase 90
Amp Settings
The intro clean tone uses the Randall's clean channel with reverb — surprisingly pristine for a band of Pantera's heaviness. The delay on the solo section is set at a moderate dotted-eighth-style timing.
Technique
How to Play It
The legato approach in the melodic solo sections contrasts with the aggressive picking technique of the rhythm work — Dimebag could shift between technically demanding alternate picking and smooth hammer-on/pull-off runs seamlessly.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Clean channel into any reverb pedal for the intro. The solo tone needs a high-gain setup with a delay (dotted-eighth note timing) for the outro.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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