Song Rig
Iron Man
Tony Iommi · Paranoid · 1970
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
The heaviest, most ominous guitar tone of 1970 — SG tuned down a step and a half through a Laney, played with thimble-covered homemade picks after Iommi lost his fingertips. The downtuning creates a darker, heavier resonance than standard tuning.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson SG Special (C# standard tuning / down 1.5 steps)
- 2Laney Supergroup 100W (cranked)
Amp Settings
Maximum gain and bass for maximum heaviness — the foundation of heavy metal. Iommi's downtuned SG through a Laney at full volume invented doom metal before the genre had a name.
Technique
How to Play It
Extremely heavy pick attack with no finesse — Iommi plays every note with maximum intent. The thimble picks on his shortened fingers create a slightly different attack than regular picks.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Any guitar tuned to C# standard (or at least D standard) + heavy gain amp or distortion pedal with bass boosted. The tuning is non-negotiable.
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