Black Sabbath
Paranoid · 1970
Amp settings (as recorded)
The recording
The song 'Paranoid' was recorded at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios in London, produced by Rodger Bain. The track was notoriously written as an afterthought in the studio while the other band members were out for lunch; the band recorded the album live in roughly two to three days. The production prioritized a raw, powerful sound, avoiding excessive EQ or compression that might weaken the performance. Guitar parts were often double or triple-tracked to achieve the signature size and punch of the riff.
Tuning
StandardRecording Signal Chain · 4 items
1965 Gibson SG Special
Gibson
Primary guitar
Modified with John Birch custom pickups (P-90 construction).
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
Dallas-Arbiter
Drive/Boost
Modified unit to provide extra gain and cut bass frequencies.
LA100BL Supergroup
Laney
Main Amp
Settings: Bass at 0, Mids, Treble, Presence and Gain dimed to 10.
4x12 Cabinet
Laney
Speaker Cabinet
Typically loaded with Celestion speakers.
Tone Characteristics
ToneTwin