🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get Black Sabbath's guitar tone

Black Sabbath across 10 famous tones — mostly through Laney, Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL, Laney Supergroup MK 1 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet, Laney LA100BL, with humbuckers. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 6 · bass 5.5 · mid 7 · treble 6.5 · presence 6 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get Black Sabbath's tones on YOUR rig — free →

Black Sabbath's go-to amps

Laney ×4Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL ×1Laney Supergroup MK 1 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet ×1Laney LA100BL ×1

10 famous Black Sabbath tones

Iron Man
gain 8 · bass 7.5 · mid 7.5 · treble 6
Paranoid
gain 7.5 · bass 3 · mid 8.5 · treble 8
Rat Salad
gain 7.5 · bass 7 · mid 7 · treble 6.5
Black Sabbath
gain 7.5 · bass 4 · mid 8.5 · treble 7.5
Children of the Grave
gain 6 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6
Sweet Leaf
gain 6 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 5
Fairies Wear Boots
gain 6 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6
War Pigs
gain 5.5 · bass 5 · mid 6 · treble 6.5
N.I.B.
gain 5 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6
Planet Caravan
gain 0 · bass 6.5 · mid 6.5 · treble 5

Metal amp settings

Black Sabbath is a metal staple. See the best amp settings for metal — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

Similar artists

MetallicaPanteraLINKIN PARKDeftonesAvenged SevenfoldSlipknotMegadethOzzy Osbourne

How to get Black Sabbath's tone — FAQ

What amp settings does Black Sabbath use?

Averaged across 10 of their tones: gain 6, bass 5.5, mid 7, treble 6.5, presence 6 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like Black Sabbath?

They favour Laney, Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL, Laney Supergroup MK 1 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet, Laney LA100BL with humbuckers. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get Black Sabbath's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Laney, Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL, Laney Supergroup MK 1 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet, Laney LA100BL and humbuckers) and a starting EQ of gain 6, bass 5.5, mid 7, treble 6.5, presence 6 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 10 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get Black Sabbath's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · all 1,200+ tones.