Song Rig
Superunknown
Kim Thayil · Superunknown · 1994
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
The album's title track and one of Kim's most hypnotic riffs — a droning, repetitive pattern built on an Eastern-influenced mode that creates tension through rhythmic insistence rather than harmonic movement. The SG's neck pickup gives the riff a darker, more bassy character than the bridge-pickup grunge typical of the era.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson SG Standard (neck pickup, alternate tuning)
- 2Marshall JCM800 or Hiwatt Custom 100 (high gain)
- 3ProCo RAT Distortion
- 4Boss DS-1 (layered)
Amp Settings
Neck pickup, slightly bass-heavy setting — the droning quality of the riff is served by a darker, warmer distortion than Kim's typical bridge-pickup heavy settings. The ProCo RAT adds a compressed, aggressive character on top of the amp's own distortion.
Technique
How to Play It
Drone-based riff construction — Superunknown centres on a repeated note/chord pattern that creates hypnotic tension through rhythmic variation rather than melodic development. Kim uses open strings as drones beneath fretted notes.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
SG or Les Paul neck pickup → ProCo RAT (distortion at 8, filter at 3) → Marshall at high gain. The dark, bass-forward setting contrasts with typical grunge tone.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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