Sober

The recording

Adam Jones recorded his parts on a 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom Silverburst, using the bridge Seymour Duncan JB pickup, through a vintage Marshall 1959SLP 100‑watt head. The signal passed through a Boss BF‑3 flanger placed before a Boss MT‑2 Metal Zone distortion, yielding the mid‑forward, high‑gain tone heard on the verses and solo. The guitar was tracked at Grand Master Studios with the bridge pickup selected, and the amp was mic'd directly into the console.

Reported gear

1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom Silverburst

Guitar

Adam Jones recorded the Sober rhythm and lead parts with his 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom 'Silverburst', using the bridge Seymour Duncan JB pickup for a thick, aggressive tone.

Boss BF-3 Flanger

Flanger

A Boss BF-3 flanger was placed before the distortion, creating the subtle sweeping texture heard in the verses.

Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

Distortion

Jones drove the amp with a Boss MT‑2 Metal Zone, delivering the high‑gain, mid‑forward crunch that defines Sober’s heavy sections.

Marshall 1959SLP 100‑watt Head (vintage)

Amp

The signal was sent to a vintage Marshall 100‑watt head, likely a 1959SLP, providing the raw, mid‑heavy tone heard throughout the track.

Alternatives

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 'Silverburst'

Budget alternative · for the 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom Silverburst

$500 to $600

Mooer MG-300 Metal Distortion

Budget alternative · for the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

$80 to $120

Donner DFL-1 Flanger

Budget alternative · for the Boss BF-3 Flanger

$30 to $40

Marshall DSL40CR

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall 1959SLP 100‑watt Head (vintage)

$700 to $850

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Play the verses with palm‑muted downstrokes, keeping the bridge pickup selected.
2. 2.Let the notes ring on the solo, using slight vibrato and sustain.
3. 3.Use tight alternate‑picking for the syncopated riff.
4. 4.Add subtle pick‑hand dynamics to accent the song’s quiet–loud transitions.