Great video! Range master such a key part of his rig, I think I overlooked the importance of the correct pickup voicing for the era. Only thing not mentioned is the tone of the monkey sticker! Cheers!
this is pretty awesome. I've always wondered how he got that "sludgy" hand of doom sound. I guess he detuned strings to compensate for his fingers getting cut off. He was really the "architect" of the heavy metal sound.
Your channel is so awesome! Only thing I could say negative is I wish you would have had this channel 10 years ago when I was really trying to nail these sounds as a newb guitarist. I’d be so much better by now! But I’m still just glad you’re here doing these amazing videos, cheers!
Haven't actually watched a single video yet, but I've all ready subscribed and can already tell this is gonna be my new favourite youtube channel, definitely gonna be where I come for awesome vids and guitar lessons from now on.
CrippledWizard69 always taking requests, just can’t guarantee anything. I can do about one lesson a week on average. Let me know what you want to see! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Understandable dude. But if it's ever possible id love to see a lesson for either Cough - Mind Collapse, Monolord - Empress Rissing, Electric Wizard - Dunwich or Witchcraft - If Crimson Was Your Colour.
@@BlackClawDoom So many killer tunes there!!! Genuinely love every one. I know numerous Witchcraft songs from the first three records, including that one, but I'm just not sure if there is a big enough fanbase to do them over other things. Would love to though as they are one of my all time favorite bands.
It brings back memories to watch your video. All the things we did in the late 70s and early 80s to get the tones we loved. We got some shocks but we never got electrocuted. I dislike high-gain amps immensely. Much more fun getting the tone you want the old school way.
I read somewhere that the bridge pickup on Tony's SG Special was rewound by John Birch with 3 or 4 times the normal amount of wire and potted with epoxy and covered with a metal instead of plastic cover to get rid of the feedback.
It was definitely wax potted. Not sure on the rewinding-there seems to be some disagreement on that matter. I’m sure we’ll come to know soon when Gibson releases their monkey custom / tribute.
This is a great video! Very accurate. To add to your info: There was a Stratocaster used on some songs the first album (Wicked World comes to mind). Paranoid was recorded with a humbucker loaded white Les Paul Custom (SG shape). His cabinets over the years had Goodman's Audiom 12P's, JBL-D-120F's and Celestion T1976's. All had aluminum dust caps for added brightness. His tone on Technical Ecstasy and onward changed due to the very high output humbucker pickups in an all-maple John Birch SG. The amp tone for Technical Ecstasy were Vox AC30's - likely due to influence of Brian May of Queen. Perhaps, to a lesser extent, Ritchie Blackmore. The rest is in the fingers/ molded fingertips which helped with getting clarity with hammer-ons.
"Paranoid was recorded with a humbucker loaded white Les Paul Custom (SG shape)" Wait, for real? For the longest time I thought it was a normal LP, as it's known today. Gibson's line-up can get confusing, I guess. Gotta love it.
@@Tehstroyer Hi, it does get confusing! if you Google Iommi/Les Paul Custom 1970 you'll see a bunch of old black and white pictures of it. Some live and some studio. It has the Custom block inlays on the fretboard and a Maestro Vibrola which probably gave him the idea for the dive bomb intro to Iron Man?
@@phildemetro Thanks for the info, Phil, especially in regards to the speakers. I've always wanted to get my hands on a set of the Audiom 12P's! If you look closely at old photos Tony's LP Custom from the Paranoid sessions you will see the bridge humbucker is actually swapped to a P90. You can see it pretty clearly in this photo : www.reranch.com/reranch/viewtopic.php?t=59931&sid=1c69e67e5dc90d6609d0bc0641475f24
Does It Doom? You’re right! I forgot about that picture. There’s also pictures where there are no covers.. the coils are exposed (black bobbins ) There’s a couple videos in Germany (beat club and live outdoors) and a Belgium video of Paranoid around 1970 also where the pickups are exposed. But it’s possible the album has a P90. This picture is proof. It’s just hard to tell sonically. The Audiom is an interesting speaker .. slightly scooped. Not like the Celestion T1976 which sounds like Sabotage era..very midrange aggressive. The JBL might have gained use around ‘73 when Tony used a Fender Twin on the track “ Sabbath Bloody Sanbath”. Twins often had the D120f as a custom option. Very very loud, efficient and clean. I have a few of these and they all contribute to the Iommi sound. It’s crazy how difficult it is to recreate his tone - unlike say, AC/DC which is simpler. It’s all discontinued stuff. The studio consoles/mic preamps used in the classic recordings would have imparted a tone, as well. Helios and Cadac boards are musical and open.
@@phildemetro Randomly getting back to it, since I've been talking about it with someone else and found some interesting stuff. There's an article mentioning that he indeed used a "normal" Les Paul, but for Hand Of Doom and not the title track. He didn't really like it, because he had problem reaching upper frets with his cut fingers and never played it again. bravewords.com/news/tony-iommi-on-guitars-he-used-in-black-sabbath-i-would-have-used-the-les-paul-if-i-hadnt-cut-my-fingers-off And this mentions a Black Beauty, which I don't think was a name used for the SG shape Les Paul. It also says that he recorded Paranoid on a white Les Paul, which would mean the SG Les Paul Custom as the one for the title track: www.woodytone.com/2009/02/27/tony-iommis-paranoid-gear/ Mostly posting because I only ever heard about the eponymous track being recorded on an LP and it's news to me.
Tony actually took his pickups out wax potted them and rewound them hotter, but yours are unusually hot I think, and about the strings, he installed the tailpiece further away so the strings have more tension, if you just tune everything down with 9’s you’re just probably gonna have no sustain and buzzing like theres no tomorrow
I've heard about the wax potting, and I definitely believe it considering the amount of feedback I've had with this rig and any vintage P-90 equipped guitar at stage volume. The rewinding I've also read about, but I'm not sure. I've had vintage SG's with P90's of DC resistance down to 7.7kOhm, which definitely wasn't hot enough. Most seem to agree that his had to be somewhere between 8.5 and 9.5kOhm. I'm not sure on the tailpiece bit as even when he had the ABR-1 sort of mod going on the bridge was always in the same location, even though the tailpiece itself was further back than it would normally be. The way the monkey SG currently sits it has a Leo Quan badass bridge on it that looks to be in the original position. Regarding the 9's in C#, it's really not as bad as you might think, just need to have the guitar setup appropriately and use a lighter touch--biggest issue I've had trying that is tuning stability, especially with the original Kluson machine heads still on this SG.
Nice overview. One thing I did not hear discussed are the speakers in the 412 for the Laney amp. Tony used an early Laney LA60BL for the first album similar to yours. The Laney 412 had either Celestion G12M 75Hz speakers or Goodmans black label 25 watt speakers. Those have a big influence on the guitar sound.
Actually I believe that is a Marshall cab. With greenbacks, V-30’s, G12T75 (as you mentioned). Most British Stacks e.g. Marshall, Laney, Orange, Matamp, Hiwatt, Sound City, Simms-Watts, all had about three types of speakers they used, combos are a whole other animal. So as long as your wattage matched on the speaker and it wasn’t under powered you could mix and match brands. Nowadays I see these young dudes will get a head that cost a lot and then they find a bargain cab like an early 80’s Peavy then run them together but can’t figure out how a Fender DeVille 1x12 is blowing away their full stack. Power matching on cabs is so important. Your actually better being slightly overpowered than under. The difference in volume between a 50watt head and a 100watt head is about 3-5 decibels. The double of the wattage just gives more headroom for louder cleans. Oh transformers too!!! Transformers can significantly change volume. Anytime I restore an old amp or newer for that matter and they aren’t all original I will always put in Mercury Magnetics transformers. Even with an original I’ll just keep the originals and put in MM trans. Well this has been quite the digression so forgive my random rumblings?!!
I think their 1970 concert in Paris is a rlly good example of that Black Sabbath tone during the 70s. Very powerful and huge so to speak. Lots of feedback and energy from his amp. Also I don’t think he used stock P90s, I think his SG had a set of John Birch P90s instead. You can defiantly spot them in the Paris recording.
I believe they were wax potted to help with the feedback but otherwise stock. He kept that one in the bridge forever. The neck pickup he swapped to various John Birch models throughout the years.
mostly correct. Yes, the neck is a custom Birch. But tony had him do a rewind on the bridge pup. Assume it was to overwind it. Drive the rangemaster and front end! I will be custom winding both soon.
*how* you play it, I live in Metairie, la and with Hurricane ida - I’ve been stuck back at my parents house. Playing my dads squire affinity series strat, 3 single coils, all stock. And I been shreddin’ on that bad boy. It’s all in the hands 🙌🏼
Nice informative video. I saw Black Sabbath at the Fillmore East in like November 1970 & again early in 1971. Up until a few years ago, I always thought he played an SG Junior at those concerts. Oh well :) Rock on, brother !
Very cool video! I recently discovered your channel and ive definitely been enjoying the videos! I wanted to ask you what you thought about the Iommi Epiphone signature. Have you played it, and what did you think etc. curious to know if its worth the money. Also interested in the newer 30 watt Laney amps, but ive heard mixed reviews. I appreciate your time, and thank you for doing everything that you do! Will definitely keep watching and looking forward to future videos as well.
There have been 3 Epiphone Iommi signatures. The second one was the nicest guitar overall (black, chrome hardware, full fretboard crucifix inlays, USA Gibson Iommi Humbuckers) . The latest Monkey Epiphone is a bit overpriced for what it is, imo. Have never played the 30 W Laney but the few guys who I know that have them along with the 100W version say the 30W is great.
P90's deserve WAY more respect than they currently get. My Gibson LP with P90's is the best sounding guitar I've owned in 30 years. They're a different animal, but worth the slight learning curve. Cool video.
Does It Doom? Well he also said he used a black beauty in the next sentence, but he said it in a way that implied it was a different guitar, but it could've been taken as him describing the les paul, so I was very confused! Thanks for clearing that up
666th like. Hell yes. I've been told that the Laney Supergroud heads are basically just Marshall Plexi clones, so I just use modelers to try and find the Sabbath tone, but it always sounded too bright with P90s and a treble boost. I never thought to use the bass channel. Excellent content
Thanks for doing this Steve I love needing out on Tony. Do you have an opinion on the newer Laney supergroup 30 watt heads? Are they sabbath worthy? cheers!
Great video. I wonder if he favored a specific speaker? I’ve done a little experimenting with speakers and find they are a huge link in the time chasing I’ve been doing. Still need a guitar with P90’s. Thanks
He did use PAF humbuckers in the mid 70s, live mostly the triple pickup white custom. I have the Iommi Epiphone with the Gibson humbuckers. They are instant Sabbath, especially Heaven and Hell and on. But hard to find.
I heard an interview with Tony Iommi on RUclips where he mentions that one of the guys in Spooky Tooth approached him after a gig and said he could improve the sound of the Rangemaster for him. Tony mentions that he gave it to him (and wonders now how he was so trusting to let him have it) and got it back, with a slightly changed circuit, before his next gig and that this was his sound from then on. He also mentions that a Sabbath Tech guy threw it away later on, and that Tony was really annoyed by this. Can't recall the interview. Maybe it was the Gibson Legends interview where e was interviewed by Richie Faulkner?
Thanks for doing this. Do I have to chop off the tips of my fingers to help get the sound? Amazing that he had that accident, it surely helped create his unique tone. Appreciate the info. :)
The final secret to the tone! Honestly I think the plastic thimbles must have something to do with his signatures trills. The speed and attack is unmatched, lol.
Agree 100% it’s pretty impossible to replicate if you still have your finger tips, tho I certainly wouldn’t say it made playing guitar any easier for him. Which imo is why he is one of the best of all time, to lop-off your finger tips and to still have the most beautiful yet sinister vibrato known to man
Nothing to add just a fond memory I live in the same area as the lads from Black Sabbath in fact quite a few bands came from the Black Country including Slade and Zeppelin who we sometimes got to listen to rehearsing near Kinver Edge I think it was. Anyway I digress I've pretty much been into Black Sabbath all my music loving days from a young lad. I remember going to Kidderminster one Saturday afternoon on my purple Yamaha FS1E to buy a record from our local Woolworths store and as I was flicking the vinyl albums through my fingers there it was PARANOID by the mighty Black Sabbath. I made an instant purchase, when I got back to my bike I realised "how am I going to get this album home?" There is no way I can hold it and I have no top box. So I wedged it up my jacket (thank goodness my tummy then does not resemble my tummy now) and I lent forward like an old man so as not to bend the record and drove home at the slowest speed possible so as not to suffer and wind damage from this huge square shape that I had suddenly become. Ozzy sung "Hells Angels black their wings". I was mad into the Hells Angels then even though I new nothing about them and only had my moped. GREAT DAYS forty three years ago.....
Hey! great channel , Tony Iommi used those setting presence 10 treble 10 mid 10 and bass 0, but on the bass input on his laney supergroup, it may not sound good at those settings with another amp , for an amp with only one input, a bit bright, how do you recommend to set the eq ? Thank you
Glad you found it useful. You can always install a Post Phase Invertor Master Volume (PPIMV) knob on one of the speaker outputs on the backside of the amp as I've done here. When run at max it's effectively out of the circuit and doesn't really effect the tone much at all compared to stock. Will allow you to run at much lower volume without running an attenuator, which can be pretty hard on the amp in general. I have this LarMar PPIMV kit from Granger installed on a couple of my NMV amps and think its a great, easily reversible mod, that makes these style amps more practical for use at home. grangeramp.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=51
I had a 65 SG special, and I fell on hard times. I will regret that one forever. It also had a Maestro trem that I never used, it obviously would instantly go out of tune.
I read somewhere that Tony stated that early on that a roadie/guitar tech that used to hang around and ended up being his guitar tech is this guy said he can make his guitar sound great. He let the guy have at it and the sound just ripped after that. Tony said he didn't know how the modified it and wish he was still in contact with him for his other guitars. I've had supergroup amps, the 60 sounds better than the 100 watt. Yea 8's are too light. 9's are cool. Cool video
Could you get a similar tone using a Les Paul Jr with one P90? I'm in the market to get a new rig, after selling off my Westone guitar and Peavey Valveking. Any suggestions for amps would also be helpful... I was considering one of the new Laney amps, since I'm on a budget and they were what Tony Iommi used on the first Sabbath albums. Thanks!
I've got a LP special with p90s and an SG special with p90s. They are in the same ball park, but the LP has a lot more low end and it's smoother over all. The SG cuts more and doesn't have all that space taken up in the low end. It's a much thinner cut of wood and it sounds different - not to mention it feels a lot different. The LP is much heavier and the SG moves the neck away from you by about the space of 2 frets compared to the LP. The LP is my fav. The SG is easier to play and suits a mix better in most cases. For amps, just get anything that has a tube and dynamic sound (not super distortion). Then stick range master or other simple germanium preamp (one transistor) in front and crank it. Job done.
Hugely important in fact. I typically mic close to where the cap meets the cone with the mic from 0-1” off the cloth. The position is adjusted slightly for each recording depending on the gear I’m using. I typically try to pull the mids forward, if that makes sense.
Could you do a video on Tony Iommi’s gear during the Dio years? If you haven’t already done that yet. I’m sure you get asked to do videos you’ve already done.
Weird all the talk of him wanting more treble. I always imagined him turning the tone down on everything to keep standard tuning sounding that low and heavy.
It has to do with the amp. Some tube amps brown out to mud when you crank them. The fix is to inject treble. It sounds like crap in most amps, except for a hot tube amp.
Man Steve I missed this old video I love where you have taken your RUclips channel too it’s the Best channel going on RUclips for Doom Metal long live Iommi and Does it Doom thanks for all your time Bro.
One of these days I want to find out how Tony kept blowing these amps up and how bad it was. Like, was he just popping fuses or was there some serious magic blue smoke issues?
1985cactus no. Humbuckers didn’t show up ‘til he started using the John Birch SG around Technical Ecstasy. Any live video you’ll find of Iommi prior to that he will 99% of the time be using the red SG Special with P-90s. There are a couple videos of him playing the White SG Custom, but upon close inspection of that guitar you will also see a P-90 has been fit into the bridge position.
Hi, really nice video, thanks for infos. I'm setting an SG to get a little of sound of 70s of Iommi and A. Young. I was thinking about a P90 on the neck and an HB (P90 sized) on the bridge. Any suggestions?
@@DoesItDoom They don't have any. Is it possible to get a schematic drawing of your range master tone booster clone so I can build it myself? I live part time in eastern Europe. I can get NOS components no problem.
Rickin Russia I'd build one with a bc184c range master..I say because I built a sabbra cadabra clone and tried a few different transistors in the boost section and the bc184c got there..tried npn germanium too but it didn't make that much difference..I'd do that.
Folks, is there any way to get the Master Of Reality tone within an affordable budget? I have a Laney Cub 8 amp, a BOSS Metal Zone pedal, and a Laney TI booster which I accidentally bought. The combination sounds terrible LOL. Please advise
First Sabbath albums..started with a strat.till it fogged up...then single COIL sg...zep 1..tele...no les Paul's or marshalls...two of the first heavy bands......shame the guitar mags...brain wash the kids you've got to have ..a 5000grand les Paul.. and marshall stacks to play rock...
Does It Doom? Entirely fair. I am a fan of that fuzz you can get cranking the range knob. Also, if you’re ever interested, get your hands on one of Fuzzrocious’s Bongripper collab distortion. Thing jams for sure.
If you want some great p90's check out Lindy Fralin. He will wind you up a set that are designed to help you get Tony's tone. And if you can't afford a lot of gear you can get a Sabbra Cadabra pedal. It's pricey but cheaper than getting an amp. It turns my hotrod deluxe into a Sabbath doom machine.
Dillion did. good luck finding one. theyre allegedly very good for $200. i think Epiphone would be a better more solid option for sure though. id buy them sooner than a gibson. i heard Epiphones stay in tune better.
@@DoesItDoom I think you nailed it. I was just making a joke about how Circle of Tone did a video and got it wrong and Iommi called him out on Twitter.
Grande!Io riesco ad ottenere un sound molto simile con la mia Marshall 1987x e il mio bsm booster più la mia Gibson SG Classic...❤️🙏😇... Bel video! HAIL DI'AUL 😈🐐. ..
@@DoesItDoom I would have to say that’s the good thing about buying gear that has a big brand. Typically, the value only goes up but if it diminishes, it’s not by too much.
I play black sabbath with a strinberg 150 dolars strat,pretty good,but ths single coils punch me in the balls,i will change it to a malagoli hh777 blade,a daphon wah wah,but i dont use it for sabbath musics,and a machintech 50 dollar amp with the amp drive
actually you're all forgetting the one component of his sound, especially heard from 73 on, that nobody else can seem to identify...i never hear it said but this one pedal is so key, and im not saying the Dallas Rangemaster, that's well known, and it's not some fuzz pedal, it's weird but trust me, i have one of these AND IT WORKS. CAN ANYONE GUESS???
Lonn Phillips I think he stopped using the LA100BL Supergroups and started using Laney Klipps. It’s another amp with similar tone but i think it has built in boost (explains how his tone changed after his guitar tech threw out the modded rangemaster) There are some pictures from that era of them live where you can see the Klipp amps
@@thewitchfindergeneral4015 SLIGHT SLIIIIGHT AMOUNT OF EITHER A LESLIE SPEAKER, SOME SORTA UNIVIBE OR ROTOVIBE...either way, small bit of chorus and I know the setting!! My EHX Small Clone does it perfectly
Great video! Range master such a key part of his rig, I think I overlooked the importance of the correct pickup voicing for the era. Only thing not mentioned is the tone of the monkey sticker!
Cheers!
I heard a later guitar tech thought the modded range master was broken, and threw it out. I would think he was fired not much later.
Spoiler alert: no playing
That's why he labeled the video gear tips you.
Thanks for that
Wtf???
Thanks. Saved me some time.
this is pretty awesome. I've always wondered how he got that "sludgy" hand of doom sound. I guess he detuned strings to compensate for his fingers getting cut off. He was really the "architect" of the heavy metal sound.
pun intended
I have never appreciated a channel more. Thanks for what you do. I’m glad RUclips recommended me this from the archives. Cheers.
Your channel is so awesome! Only thing I could say negative is I wish you would have had this channel 10 years ago when I was really trying to nail these sounds as a newb guitarist. I’d be so much better by now! But I’m still just glad you’re here doing these amazing videos, cheers!
Thanks man! I can only wish I started long ago! Better late than never I guess. I really appreciate you checking out the channel!
I love your vids, man. Your channel and Fuzzlord saved my days a few weeks back when I had the flu. Keep up the good work!
Great to hear man! Thanks for watching!
I can get that smooth clipping sound from my ds-1 and it sat on my shelf for years !
Would have loved a sample?
See video description.
@Brad Howe I know they were Celestions, but I haven't really found which model.
Hi bud you have one of the best early sabbath tones !! 🤟🤟🤟🤟
Thanks man!
I just heard he tone you had on your Sweet Leaf tuition video was so much like Ionis, it was so impressive
Thanks so much Jason.
R'n'R is alive and well. I love this kind of devotion - rock on dude.
Thanks for watching!
Haven't actually watched a single video yet, but I've all ready subscribed and can already tell this is gonna be my new favourite youtube channel, definitely gonna be where I come for awesome vids and guitar lessons from now on.
CrippledWizard69 thanks for checking it out man. I put together a new lesson every week so stay tuned!!
No worries dude, and excited to see more content, and to see what other lessons you put up.
Will you be taking requests at all?
CrippledWizard69 always taking requests, just can’t guarantee anything. I can do about one lesson a week on average. Let me know what you want to see! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Understandable dude.
But if it's ever possible id love to see a lesson for either Cough - Mind Collapse, Monolord - Empress Rissing, Electric Wizard - Dunwich or Witchcraft - If Crimson Was Your Colour.
@@BlackClawDoom So many killer tunes there!!! Genuinely love every one. I know numerous Witchcraft songs from the first three records, including that one, but I'm just not sure if there is a big enough fanbase to do them over other things. Would love to though as they are one of my all time favorite bands.
Super cool and interesting video man, I love how legendary his tone is.
I'm 2 years late to this video but this is awesome. Thanks for going into such detail for us nerds.
Haha! Nerding out for sure man!
@@DoesItDoom Once you start talking Hfe you're speaking my language lol
I"m waiting...for the sound.....waiting...... aaaahh.. Great video. guess I gotta tune into video to hear it
Sorry! Lol. Sound clip videos up in the description.
thanks, that is a lot of info
Glad you liked it.
Man, I freaking love that guitar and the amps!!!!
Thanks man. Great guitar and amp for sure.
It brings back memories to watch your video. All the things we did in the late 70s and early 80s to get the tones we loved. We got some shocks but we never got electrocuted. I dislike high-gain amps immensely. Much more fun getting the tone you want the old school way.
I read somewhere that the bridge pickup on Tony's SG Special was rewound by John Birch with 3 or 4 times the normal amount of wire and potted with epoxy and covered with a metal instead of plastic cover to get rid of the feedback.
It was definitely wax potted. Not sure on the rewinding-there seems to be some disagreement on that matter. I’m sure we’ll come to know soon when Gibson releases their monkey custom / tribute.
Great video Steve!!! 🤘🤘🤘
An oldie!
This is a great video! Very accurate. To add to your info: There was a Stratocaster used on some songs the first album (Wicked World comes to mind). Paranoid was recorded with a humbucker loaded white Les Paul Custom (SG shape). His cabinets over the years had Goodman's Audiom 12P's, JBL-D-120F's and Celestion T1976's. All had aluminum dust caps for added brightness. His tone on Technical Ecstasy and onward changed due to the very high output humbucker pickups in an all-maple John Birch SG. The amp tone for Technical Ecstasy were Vox AC30's - likely due to influence of Brian May of Queen. Perhaps, to a lesser extent, Ritchie Blackmore. The rest is in the fingers/ molded fingertips which helped with getting clarity with
hammer-ons.
"Paranoid was recorded with a humbucker loaded white Les Paul Custom (SG shape)"
Wait, for real? For the longest time I thought it was a normal LP, as it's known today. Gibson's line-up can get confusing, I guess. Gotta love it.
@@Tehstroyer Hi, it does get confusing! if you Google Iommi/Les Paul Custom 1970 you'll see a bunch of old black and white pictures of it. Some live and some studio. It has the Custom block inlays on the fretboard and a Maestro Vibrola which probably gave him the idea for the dive bomb intro to Iron Man?
@@phildemetro Thanks for the info, Phil, especially in regards to the speakers. I've always wanted to get my hands on a set of the Audiom 12P's! If you look closely at old photos Tony's LP Custom from the Paranoid sessions you will see the bridge humbucker is actually swapped to a P90. You can see it pretty clearly in this photo : www.reranch.com/reranch/viewtopic.php?t=59931&sid=1c69e67e5dc90d6609d0bc0641475f24
Does It Doom? You’re right! I forgot about that picture. There’s also pictures where there are no covers.. the coils are exposed (black bobbins ) There’s a couple videos in Germany (beat club and live outdoors) and a Belgium video of Paranoid around 1970 also where the pickups are exposed. But it’s possible the album has a P90. This picture is proof. It’s just hard to tell sonically. The Audiom is an interesting speaker .. slightly scooped. Not like the Celestion T1976 which sounds like Sabotage era..very midrange aggressive. The JBL might have gained use around ‘73 when Tony used a Fender Twin on the track “ Sabbath Bloody Sanbath”. Twins often had the D120f as a custom option. Very very loud, efficient and clean. I have a few of these and they all contribute to the Iommi sound. It’s crazy how difficult it is to recreate his tone - unlike say, AC/DC which is simpler. It’s all discontinued stuff. The studio consoles/mic preamps used in the classic recordings would have imparted a tone, as well. Helios and Cadac boards are musical and open.
@@phildemetro
Randomly getting back to it, since I've been talking about it with someone else and found some interesting stuff. There's an article mentioning that he indeed used a "normal" Les Paul, but for Hand Of Doom and not the title track. He didn't really like it, because he had problem reaching upper frets with his cut fingers and never played it again.
bravewords.com/news/tony-iommi-on-guitars-he-used-in-black-sabbath-i-would-have-used-the-les-paul-if-i-hadnt-cut-my-fingers-off
And this mentions a Black Beauty, which I don't think was a name used for the SG shape Les Paul. It also says that he recorded Paranoid on a white Les Paul, which would mean the SG Les Paul Custom as the one for the title track:
www.woodytone.com/2009/02/27/tony-iommis-paranoid-gear/
Mostly posting because I only ever heard about the eponymous track being recorded on an LP and it's news to me.
Tony actually took his pickups out wax potted them and rewound them hotter, but yours are unusually hot I think, and about the strings, he installed the tailpiece further away so the strings have more tension, if you just tune everything down with 9’s you’re just probably gonna have no sustain and buzzing like theres no tomorrow
I've heard about the wax potting, and I definitely believe it considering the amount of feedback I've had with this rig and any vintage P-90 equipped guitar at stage volume. The rewinding I've also read about, but I'm not sure. I've had vintage SG's with P90's of DC resistance down to 7.7kOhm, which definitely wasn't hot enough. Most seem to agree that his had to be somewhere between 8.5 and 9.5kOhm. I'm not sure on the tailpiece bit as even when he had the ABR-1 sort of mod going on the bridge was always in the same location, even though the tailpiece itself was further back than it would normally be. The way the monkey SG currently sits it has a Leo Quan badass bridge on it that looks to be in the original position. Regarding the 9's in C#, it's really not as bad as you might think, just need to have the guitar setup appropriately and use a lighter touch--biggest issue I've had trying that is tuning stability, especially with the original Kluson machine heads still on this SG.
The King Jaydee didn’t exist then, and the only replacement pickups he put on that SG were two neck pickups made by John birch
I use 7-38's on my SG, and after proper setup it plays like a dayummmmm dream.
Spot on ;)
I really should have credited you in the video directly considering you were the source of so much of the information over the years. :)
Player Grade Guitars thanks but really not necessary! Just continue the gospel
Thanks to both or you guys to get all this awesome information what iommi used thanks
Nice overview. One thing I did not hear discussed are the speakers in the 412 for the Laney amp. Tony used an early Laney LA60BL for the first album similar to yours. The Laney 412 had either Celestion G12M 75Hz speakers or Goodmans black label 25 watt speakers. Those have a big influence on the guitar sound.
Thanks, Richard. Totally slipped my mind when I was recording. Thanks!
Actually I believe that is a Marshall cab. With greenbacks, V-30’s, G12T75 (as you mentioned). Most British Stacks e.g. Marshall, Laney, Orange, Matamp, Hiwatt, Sound City, Simms-Watts, all had about three types of speakers they used, combos are a whole other animal. So as long as your wattage matched on the speaker and it wasn’t under powered you could mix and match brands. Nowadays I see these young dudes will get a head that cost a lot and then they find a bargain cab like an early 80’s Peavy then run them together but can’t figure out how a Fender DeVille 1x12 is blowing away their full stack. Power matching on cabs is so important. Your actually better being slightly overpowered than under. The difference in volume between a 50watt head and a 100watt head is about 3-5 decibels. The double of the wattage just gives more headroom for louder cleans. Oh transformers too!!! Transformers can significantly change volume. Anytime I restore an old amp or newer for that matter and they aren’t all original I will always put in Mercury Magnetics transformers. Even with an original I’ll just keep the originals and put in MM trans. Well this has been quite the digression so forgive my random rumblings?!!
I think their 1970 concert in Paris is a rlly good example of that Black Sabbath tone during the 70s. Very powerful and huge so to speak. Lots of feedback and energy from his amp. Also I don’t think he used stock P90s, I think his SG had a set of John Birch P90s instead. You can defiantly spot them in the Paris recording.
I believe they were wax potted to help with the feedback but otherwise stock. He kept that one in the bridge forever. The neck pickup he swapped to various John Birch models throughout the years.
mostly correct. Yes, the neck is a custom Birch. But tony had him do a rewind on the bridge pup. Assume it was to overwind it. Drive the rangemaster and front end! I will be custom winding both soon.
I really like he didnt really use the flashiest most expensive guitar Its all about what he played.
The greatest!
Similar to Leslie West. In many ways the "budget" Gibsons of the era, with p90s, were the best "rock" machines.
*how* you play it, I live in Metairie, la and with Hurricane ida - I’ve been stuck back at my parents house. Playing my dads squire affinity series strat, 3 single coils, all stock. And I been shreddin’ on that bad boy. It’s all in the hands 🙌🏼
Nice informative video. I saw Black Sabbath at the Fillmore East in like November 1970 & again early in 1971. Up until a few years ago, I always thought he played an SG Junior at those concerts. Oh well :) Rock on, brother !
Very cool video! I recently discovered your channel and ive definitely been enjoying the videos! I wanted to ask you what you thought about the Iommi Epiphone signature. Have you played it, and what did you think etc. curious to know if its worth the money. Also interested in the newer 30 watt Laney amps, but ive heard mixed reviews. I appreciate your time, and thank you for doing everything that you do! Will definitely keep watching and looking forward to future videos as well.
There have been 3 Epiphone Iommi signatures. The second one was the nicest guitar overall (black, chrome hardware, full fretboard crucifix inlays, USA Gibson Iommi Humbuckers) . The latest Monkey Epiphone is a bit overpriced for what it is, imo. Have never played the 30 W Laney but the few guys who I know that have them along with the 100W version say the 30W is great.
Dream guitar right there
P90's deserve WAY more respect than they currently get. My Gibson LP with P90's is the best sounding guitar I've owned in 30 years. They're a different animal, but worth the slight learning curve. Cool video.
That's why I'm here lol
Paranoid was a Les Paul! An "old one" he said in an interview. The rest of the songs were on his sg special
When he said “Les Paul” he meant a white SG Custom Les Paul. Which had a p90 installed in the bridge position.
Does It Doom? Well he also said he used a black beauty in the next sentence, but he said it in a way that implied it was a different guitar, but it could've been taken as him describing the les paul, so I was very confused! Thanks for clearing that up
Does It Doom? the p90s seem to be important especially for early stuff
The Chad Pad weren’t early SGs still considered “Les Pauls”??
666th like. Hell yes.
I've been told that the Laney Supergroud heads are basically just Marshall Plexi clones, so I just use modelers to try and find the Sabbath tone, but it always sounded too bright with P90s and a treble boost. I never thought to use the bass channel. Excellent content
Oh yeah subscribed! Great stuff. I got a Vox treble booster and it comes close.
Thanks for doing this Steve I love needing out on Tony. Do you have an opinion on the newer Laney supergroup 30 watt heads? Are they sabbath worthy?
cheers!
Hey Steve, I’ve heard great things about the newer 30W heads from guys who also own the 100W versions.
Great video, Awesome gear! Cheers!!
Axefiend777 thanks for checking it out.
Tony also played a strat on at least some of the first album.
Yep! Wicked World.
Where is a link to hear the Tony Iommi rig? Your video does a great job talking about it but I want to hear a demo. Is there a link?
Check the description.
P90 pick-ups SG, with the original style Laney amp. Awesome!
Thanks Oz!
I've always loved p-90s
Great video. I wonder if he favored a specific speaker? I’ve done a little experimenting with speakers and find they are a huge link in the time chasing I’ve been doing. Still need a guitar with P90’s.
Thanks
He did use PAF humbuckers in the mid 70s, live mostly the triple pickup white custom. I have the Iommi Epiphone with the Gibson humbuckers. They are instant Sabbath, especially Heaven and Hell and on. But hard to find.
I heard an interview with Tony Iommi on RUclips where he mentions that one of the guys in Spooky Tooth approached him after a gig and said he could improve the sound of the Rangemaster for him. Tony mentions that he gave it to him (and wonders now how he was so trusting to let him have it) and got it back, with a slightly changed circuit, before his next gig and that this was his sound from then on. He also mentions that a Sabbath Tech guy threw it away later on, and that Tony was really annoyed by this. Can't recall the interview. Maybe it was the Gibson Legends interview where e was interviewed by Richie Faulkner?
Thanks for doing this. Do I have to chop off the tips of my fingers to help get the sound? Amazing that he had that accident, it surely helped create his unique tone. Appreciate the info. :)
The final secret to the tone! Honestly I think the plastic thimbles must have something to do with his signatures trills. The speed and attack is unmatched, lol.
Agree 100% it’s pretty impossible to replicate if you still have your finger tips, tho I certainly wouldn’t say it made playing guitar any easier for him. Which imo is why he is one of the best of all time, to lop-off your finger tips and to still have the most beautiful yet sinister vibrato known to man
Hey what cabinet is that, it looks cool
Was an oversized 2x12 with V-Type speakers from Mojotone.
Don’t forget the Tychobrahe Parapedal wah wah.
Nothing to add just a fond memory I live in the same area as the lads from Black Sabbath in fact quite a few bands came from the Black Country including Slade and Zeppelin who we sometimes got to listen to rehearsing near Kinver Edge I think it was. Anyway I digress I've pretty much been into Black Sabbath all my music loving days from a young lad. I remember going to Kidderminster one Saturday afternoon on my purple Yamaha FS1E to buy a record from our local Woolworths store and as I was flicking the vinyl albums through my fingers there it was PARANOID by the mighty Black Sabbath. I made an instant purchase, when I got back to my bike I realised "how am I going to get this album home?" There is no way I can hold it and I have no top box. So I wedged it up my jacket (thank goodness my tummy then does not resemble my tummy now) and I lent forward like an old man so as not to bend the record and drove home at the slowest speed possible so as not to suffer and wind damage from this huge square shape that I had suddenly become. Ozzy sung "Hells Angels black their wings". I was mad into the Hells Angels then even though I new nothing about them and only had my moped. GREAT DAYS forty three years ago.....
Very cool story man!!! Thank you for sharing.
Hey! great channel , Tony Iommi used those setting presence 10 treble 10 mid 10 and bass 0, but on the bass input on his laney supergroup, it may not sound good at those settings with another amp , for an amp with only one input, a bit bright, how do you recommend to set the eq ?
Thank you
Checkout our new WALPURGIS Iommic OD Preamp that came out yesterday. Sounds like it’s just what you’re looking for. doesitdoom.com/product/walpurgis
Great tips. I'm looking into getting a Laney. I will have to run mine through an attenuator though.
Glad you found it useful. You can always install a Post Phase Invertor Master Volume (PPIMV) knob on one of the speaker outputs on the backside of the amp as I've done here. When run at max it's effectively out of the circuit and doesn't really effect the tone much at all compared to stock. Will allow you to run at much lower volume without running an attenuator, which can be pretty hard on the amp in general. I have this LarMar PPIMV kit from Granger installed on a couple of my NMV amps and think its a great, easily reversible mod, that makes these style amps more practical for use at home. grangeramp.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=51
@@DoesItDoom Thank you! Maybe I can avoid the attenuator then.
I had a 65 SG special, and I fell on hard times. I will regret that one forever. It also had a Maestro trem that I never used, it obviously would instantly go out of tune.
They are awesome guitars.
I read somewhere that Tony stated that early on that a roadie/guitar tech that used to hang around and ended up being his guitar tech is this guy said he can make his guitar sound great. He let the guy have at it and the sound just ripped after that. Tony said he didn't know how the modified it and wish he was still in contact with him for his other guitars. I've had supergroup amps, the 60 sounds better than the 100 watt. Yea 8's are too light. 9's are cool. Cool video
Could you get a similar tone using a Les Paul Jr with one P90? I'm in the market to get a new rig, after selling off my Westone guitar and Peavey Valveking. Any suggestions for amps would also be helpful... I was considering one of the new Laney amps, since I'm on a budget and they were what Tony Iommi used on the first Sabbath albums. Thanks!
I would say so, yes.
I've got a LP special with p90s and an SG special with p90s. They are in the same ball park, but the LP has a lot more low end and it's smoother over all. The SG cuts more and doesn't have all that space taken up in the low end. It's a much thinner cut of wood and it sounds different - not to mention it feels a lot different. The LP is much heavier and the SG moves the neck away from you by about the space of 2 frets compared to the LP.
The LP is my fav. The SG is easier to play and suits a mix better in most cases.
For amps, just get anything that has a tube and dynamic sound (not super distortion). Then stick range master or other simple germanium preamp (one transistor) in front and crank it. Job done.
Hey Great video
I'm a new subscriber
Time Traveler thanks for the sub! I appreciate you checking out the channel!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Where do you put the sm57 on the speaker? I think this is important. Cheers!
Hugely important in fact. I typically mic close to where the cap meets the cone with the mic from 0-1” off the cloth. The position is adjusted slightly for each recording depending on the gear I’m using. I typically try to pull the mids forward, if that makes sense.
@@DoesItDoom but on the video it looks like you put mic on the edge of the speaker, thats why i asked
Jan Polkowski I got ya. I definitely don’t mic where that is positioned in the vid, lol. But it’s a fair question!
I would like to see you demonstrate with his Sabbra Cadabra footpedal
Could you do a video on Tony Iommi’s gear during the Dio years? If you haven’t already done that yet. I’m sure you get asked to do videos you’ve already done.
Maybe! Not anything I’ve studied in depth tbh.
@@DoesItDoom I want to know Tony Iommi's gear in last black sabbath tour, he have so deep sound, so massive, it can be interesting ;)
Weird all the talk of him wanting more treble. I always imagined him turning the tone down on everything to keep standard tuning sounding that low and heavy.
SGs are known for their trebley nasty bridge pickups we all know and love. The bass guitar did all the bass he needed
@Code Voltage exactly
It has to do with the amp. Some tube amps brown out to mud when you crank them. The fix is to inject treble. It sounds like crap in most amps, except for a hot tube amp.
Do you think a Marshall JTM60 combo would get a similar sound with similar settings?
Man Steve I missed this old video I love where you have taken your RUclips channel too it’s the Best channel going on RUclips for Doom Metal long live Iommi and Does it Doom thanks for all your time Bro.
Much appreciated Ricky!
One of these days I want to find out how Tony kept blowing these amps up and how bad it was. Like, was he just popping fuses or was there some serious magic blue smoke issues?
Who are the 59 idiots that didn’t like this . Great vid
Haha. Thanks Bill.
Brilliant
Thanks for watching!
Didn't he used P90s only on the first three records and switched to SG with humbuckers on Vol. 4?
1985cactus no. Humbuckers didn’t show up ‘til he started using the John Birch SG around Technical Ecstasy. Any live video you’ll find of Iommi prior to that he will 99% of the time be using the red SG Special with P-90s. There are a couple videos of him playing the White SG Custom, but upon close inspection of that guitar you will also see a P-90 has been fit into the bridge position.
@@DoesItDoom All these years I was completely wrong then.
Thanks for the info, man.
1985cactus for sure, man. It’s a fairly common misconception. Although more generally understood these days than it was 5-10 years ago.
@@DoesItDoom True. So all the good ones were played on P90s.
Good to know.
Hi, really nice video, thanks for infos. I'm setting an SG to get a little of sound of 70s of Iommi and A. Young. I was thinking about a P90 on the neck and an HB (P90 sized) on the bridge. Any suggestions?
Try the Seymour Duncan Phat Cat, it's a Humbucker sized P-90.
Sabbscribed 🤘🏻
Iommi is God. I just ordered some 9’s. Gibbons strings. Should be fun.
Nice! Get that wobbly vibrato going!
is it possible to buy one of your oc-44 rangemaster boost clones?
Checkout Fuzzlord Effects on Instagram for updates on that. He still builds them though the artwork has changed.
I don't have Instagram.
www.fuzzlordeffects.com
@@DoesItDoom They don't have any. Is it possible to get a schematic drawing of your range master tone booster clone so I can build it myself? I live part time in eastern Europe. I can get NOS components no problem.
Rickin Russia I'd build one with a bc184c range master..I say because I built a sabbra cadabra clone and tried a few different transistors in the boost section and the bc184c got there..tried npn germanium too but it didn't make that much difference..I'd do that.
Folks, is there any way to get the Master Of Reality tone within an affordable budget? I have a Laney Cub 8 amp, a BOSS Metal Zone pedal, and a Laney TI booster which I accidentally bought. The combination sounds terrible LOL. Please advise
how is the 60 cycle hum?
Typical. Has never bothered me at all.
@@DoesItDoom cool thanks and enjoy the weekend
RavenMadd9 you too man!
I cant wind my own pickups... But I can unwind them!
Right? It seems like it would be easy to get a pickup that is too hot, then undwind it to the resistance that I want. Gonna look into it now.
First Sabbath albums..started with a strat.till it fogged up...then single COIL sg...zep 1..tele...no les Paul's or marshalls...two of the first heavy bands......shame the guitar mags...brain wash the kids you've got to have ..a 5000grand les Paul.. and marshall stacks to play rock...
And Blackmore from deep Purple played mostly a Strat as well.
Do you know anything about the Laney gh100r
Good amps. Likely undervalued / underpriced right now.
@@DoesItDoom I didn't know that they are made in China before I bought it
daniel blauw I didn’t know that either...
Can't believe you didn't play anything !! :(
Sorry man. Really old video. Some links in the description and have played that setup in other videos and lessons on the channel.
@@DoesItDoom oh cool, I didn't see you had links in the description. Sounds great, man! Keep it up
Is the Laney solid state ?
Tube.
Have you played through Catlinbread’s sabbra cadabra?
Yes.
Does It Doom? How’d you feel about it? It’s honestly one of my favorite pedals I own.
IronDrunk sounded decent but didn’t sound like this rig to me.
Does It Doom? Entirely fair. I am a fan of that fuzz you can get cranking the range knob. Also, if you’re ever interested, get your hands on one of Fuzzrocious’s Bongripper collab distortion. Thing jams for sure.
If you want some great p90's check out Lindy Fralin. He will wind you up a set that are designed to help you get Tony's tone. And if you can't afford a lot of gear you can get a Sabbra Cadabra pedal. It's pricey but cheaper than getting an amp. It turns my hotrod deluxe into a Sabbath doom machine.
step 1 be tony iommi
Is it me or do we complicate this genre with so many different pedals?
Dont forget the strings
Felt like I discussed string gauge in here. Was a long time ago though.
You're stoned as fuq, so I know it's authenic
Why ain't you plug that beast in and show us how it sounds......
1:23 he overwound the bridge to a 10k
PLAY!!!
Does anyone but Gibson make an SG with p90s?
Epiphone definitely had a nice 60’s style SG with P90’s. There are definitely others as well.
Dillion did. good luck finding one. theyre allegedly very good for $200. i think Epiphone would be a better more solid option for sure though. id buy them sooner than a gibson. i heard Epiphones stay in tune better.
I could swear I hear a fuzz pedal on the studio version of Snowblind...
What about the eternal idol
Why didnt u played it tho?
Check the video description for some sound samples of the rig. 🤘🏻🤘🏻
@@DoesItDoom niiiiice
You talked all the time but I never heard of Sabbath tone!
Sorry, old video. Check the links in the description.
Step one: loose a fingertip🤔🤔😢
Careful. You may get burned on twitter by Iommi..lol
I’m going to go out on a limb and say what your seeing in this video is fairly accurate.
@@DoesItDoom I think you nailed it. I was just making a joke about how Circle of Tone did a video and got it wrong and Iommi called him out on Twitter.
Crimson Ghost yeah I saw that.
Amp eq...critical...to sound heavy..with 440 and 8s ....the missing link...
Where is the tone?
See video links in description for some demos.
Grande!Io riesco ad ottenere un sound molto simile con la mia Marshall 1987x e il mio bsm booster più la mia Gibson SG Classic...❤️🙏😇... Bel video! HAIL DI'AUL 😈🐐. ..
That’s got to be an expensive setup.
Fortunately it all cost about half of what it does now when I bought it.
@@DoesItDoom I would have to say that’s the good thing about buying gear that has a big brand. Typically, the value only goes up but if it diminishes, it’s not by too much.
Never play??
Old video. Check links in description.
@@DoesItDoom Great 😅👍
I play black sabbath with a strinberg 150 dolars strat,pretty good,but ths single coils punch me in the balls,i will change it to a malagoli hh777 blade,a daphon wah wah,but i dont use it for sabbath musics,and a machintech 50 dollar amp with the amp drive
Awesome!
We have tone and gear tips, now the only thing missing are finger tips
actually you're all forgetting the one component of his sound, especially heard from 73 on, that nobody else can seem to identify...i never hear it said but this one pedal is so key, and im not saying the Dallas Rangemaster, that's well known, and it's not some fuzz pedal, it's weird but trust me, i have one of these AND IT WORKS. CAN ANYONE GUESS???
Lonn Phillips I think he stopped using the LA100BL Supergroups and started using Laney Klipps. It’s another amp with similar tone but i think it has built in boost (explains how his tone changed after his guitar tech threw out the modded rangemaster) There are some pictures from that era of them live where you can see the Klipp amps
Lonn Phillips what’s the pedal you’re thinking of tho?
@@thewitchfindergeneral4015 SLIGHT SLIIIIGHT AMOUNT OF EITHER A LESLIE SPEAKER, SOME SORTA UNIVIBE OR ROTOVIBE...either way, small bit of chorus and I know the setting!! My EHX Small Clone does it perfectly
Just listen you can hear it especially on the harmonics
@@LSUOdyssey what is the setting
Not one heard tone
Tony playing 9-42 in C# is still ridiculous to me. Like 12-56 Is too slack even....... insane
Should have talked less and played!
All this talk, and no demonstration of how it sounds.
Dude didn’t even play