Song Rig

Spoonman

Kim Thayil · Superunknown · 1994

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Grinding, odd-meter grunge — Spoonman is in 7/4 time, which gives it a relentless forward momentum. The guitar tone is heavier and more distorted than Black Hole Sun, with the B standard tuning contributing enormous low-end weight. The riff is tight and percussive with heavy palm muting.

Signal Chain

1ESP or Fernandes guitar (B standard tuning)
2Marshall JCM800 (or Hiwatt)
3Boss OD-2 or similar overdrive as boost

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume9

Bass8

Mid5

Treble6

Presence7

High gain with bass up for B standard weight — the very low tuning demands extra bass emphasis to sound full rather than thin. Mids scooped slightly. Presence up for cut. The tight, percussive quality of the riff comes from precise palm muting technique more than from the amp settings.

Technique

How to Play It

Extremely tight palm muting in a 7/4 groove — the rhythmic oddness is created by the time signature, not by syncopation within it. Once you know where beat 1 is, the muting pattern becomes mechanical and locked. Count the seven beats: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7, with accents typically on 1, 4, and 6.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Any guitar tuned to B standard → high-gain amp at high volume with noise gate. The 7/4 time signature is the main challenge — practice the counting before worrying about tone.

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