Adam Jones, the guitarist for Tool, is renowned for his distinctive tone that blends heavy, textured riffs with atmospheric clarity. This list covers the guitars he uses along with detailed amp settings to help players and fans replicate his iconic sound. Whether you’re a fan looking to capture his vibe or a guitarist seeking inspiration, these setups reveal the gear and tone secrets behind Jones’s style.
1. Gibson Les Paul Standard
Adam Jones primarily uses a Gibson Les Paul Standard, known for its thick, warm tone and sustain. This guitar’s humbuckers provide the punchy, mid-rich sound that forms the backbone of his heavy riffs. Jones often pairs it with a clean but powerful amp setup to allow the guitar’s natural tone to shine through, making it perfect for both rhythm and lead parts.
2. Gibson Les Paul Custom
The Les Paul Custom is another staple in Jones’s arsenal, offering a slightly brighter and more refined tone than the Standard. It features ebony fingerboards and often has a thicker neck profile, which contributes to its distinct feel and tonal response. When paired with a high-gain amp, the Custom helps deliver the smooth distortion heard on tracks like “Schism”.
3. Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Amp
Jones’s signature amp tone is heavily tied to the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, a classic amplifier known for its rich distortion and dynamic response. He typically sets the amp with a moderate gain level to avoid muddiness, with bass around 4-5, mids at 6-7, treble at 5-6, and presence at 6 to cut through the mix. This amp’s versatility allows Jones to switch between warm cleans and aggressive overdriven tones seamlessly.
4. Orange OR120 Amp
In addition to the Mesa/Boogie, Jones has used the Orange OR120 head for its thick, vintage British distortion. The OR120’s natural midrange growl complements his Les Paul guitars perfectly. Settings often include gain around 6, bass 5, middle 7, treble 6, and presence at 5, providing a saturated yet clear tone that handles effects well.
5. Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Pedal
Jones frequently incorporates the Dunlop Cry Baby Wah to add expression and dynamics to his solos and riffs. The wah’s vocal-like sweep enhances his phrasing, especially when combined with delay and modulation effects. This pedal is essential for recreating the tonal shifts found in many Tool tracks.
6. Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
The Boss DD-3 is a staple in Jones’s effects chain, used to create spacious echoes and rhythmic repeats. Delay settings tend to be subtle, with feedback low to medium and delay time synced to the tempo of the song, adding depth without overwhelming the core tone. This effect contributes to the atmospheric layers typical of Jones’s soundscapes.
7. Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus
Jones uses the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus for its lush, analog modulation that thickens his clean tones. This pedal helps create a shimmering texture, especially noticeable on intro parts and clean passages. The rate and depth are usually set moderately to keep the effect smooth and musical rather than overtly warbly.
8. Gibson Les Paul Studio
The Les Paul Studio offers a more stripped-down version of the Standard and Custom, with the same PAF-style humbuckers but fewer cosmetic features. Jones has been seen using this guitar for its reliability and consistent tone, especially in live settings. It delivers the classic Les Paul warmth and punch, ideal for aggressive riffing paired with his chosen amp setups.
9. Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
While less iconic for Jones than the Mark IIC+, the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier is part of his rig for its high-gain, aggressive distortion. It’s often dialed in with tight bass and scooped mids to create a modern metal tone. Gain is usually set high, around 7-8, with bass at 6, mids at 4, treble at 7, and presence at 6, delivering a thick but articulate sound.
10. Strymon Timeline Delay
For more advanced delay textures, Jones employs the Strymon Timeline, a digital delay pedal known for its pristine sound quality and extensive control options. This pedal allows precise control over delay time, feedback, and modulation, enabling Jones to craft ambient layers and rhythmic delays that enhance his tone’s complexity. It’s key for replicating the depth found on later Tool albums.
How to Choose
When selecting an Adam Jones guitar and amp setup, consider what aspect of his tone you want to emphasize. For classic warmth and sustain, a Gibson Les Paul Standard or Custom paired with a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ is ideal. If you prefer a thicker, vintage British distortion, the Orange OR120 and Les Paul combination works well. Effects like the Cry Baby Wah, Boss DD-3, and Small Clone Chorus are essential for capturing Jones’s dynamic and atmospheric sound. Also, factor in your playing style and the venues you’ll perform in, as amp wattage and pedal versatility can affect tone and volume control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pickups does Adam Jones use? He mainly uses Gibson’s humbucker pickups, often the Burstbucker or Classic ‘57-style pickups in his Les Paul guitars, providing thick midrange and smooth distortion.
Does Adam Jones use tube amps or solid-state? He primarily uses tube amps, especially Mesa/Boogie heads like the Mark IIC+ and Dual Rectifier, for their rich overdrive and dynamic response.
Can I replicate Jones’s tone with cheaper gear? While the exact tone is tied to high-end guitars and amps, you can approximate it using Les Paul-style guitars, mid-gain tube amps, and key effects like wah and delay pedals.
What tuning does Adam Jones use? Tool’s songs are often tuned down to drop D or drop C, which contributes to the heavy, dark sound of his riffs.
Does Adam Jones use any signature pedals? While he doesn’t have a signature pedal line, he heavily relies on classic effects such as the Dunlop Cry Baby Wah and Boss DD-3 delay to shape his sound.
What settings are best on the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ for Jones’s tone? Moderate gain around 5-6, bass 4-5, mids 6-7, treble 5-6, and presence around 6 are a good starting point for his balanced distortion and clarity.
Final Thoughts
Adam Jones’s guitar tone is a masterclass in combining classic gear with thoughtful amp settings and effects to create a unique sonic signature. His use of Gibson Les Paul guitars paired with Mesa/Boogie or Orange amps, enhanced by expressive pedals, results in a sound that’s both heavy and nuanced. By understanding the specific gear and settings he employs, guitarists can better approach replicating his tone or simply draw inspiration for their own playing. Whether you’re chasing his iconic riffs or exploring atmospheric textures, these setups offer a solid foundation.
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