🎸 Metal · 1990s

Black No. 1 by Type O Negative (Clean · Clean) — Guitar Tone

by Type O Negative · clean

The Black No. 1 by Type O Negative guitar tone is built on a Ampeg SVT, dialed in at gain 0/10, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 5, presence 4.5 (community-researched baseline). Full breakdown below — then adapt every knob to your exact guitar and amp, free.

🎛️ These settings are for the original rig — re-dial them for YOUR amp in 10 seconds. Free, no signup →

Amp settings (0–10)

GAIN

5.5

BASS

MID

TREBLE

4.5

PRESENCE

Community-researched baseline. Your rig is different — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials every knob for your specific guitar, amp and pickups.

How these settings compare

Measured against the 284 metal tones in our researched catalog: Gain 0 sits well below the metal average (7.3) — cleaner and more dynamic than typical metal; mids at 6 are right around average (5.2); treble 5 is below the 6.8 norm (darker, smoother top end).

Original gear

Amp: Ampeg SVT (likely SVT Classic, 1970s-80s era, studio use) · Strings: Roundwound (likely, based on era and tone; not explicitly confirmed) · Tuning: BEAD (confirmed by multiple forum sources for Type O Negative's low tuning style)

Studio recording, 1993 album 'Bloody Kisses', clean section of 'Black No. 1'. Peter Steele is known for using a green Fender Precision Bass and Ampeg SVT amps in the studio during this era.

Gear used on this tone

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Pickups

100% neck (Precision split-coil only)

Effects / signal chain

Fender Precision Bass → (possible studio compressor) → Ampeg SVT (amp-mic'd, possible DI blend)

Amp effects: Compression (level 6)

Tone character

deep and thumpy, full-bodied lows, rounded attack, clear fundamental, slightly compressed, no grit or drive, subtle sustain, sits under the mix, no chorus or modulation, classic Ampeg SVT warmth

Recording context

studio

How it’s played

straight, medium tempo, medium dynamics. This shapes how hard the amp is pushed and where the EQ sits for the Black No. 1 sound.

Difficulty

2/5 · Clean

The clean section of 'Black No. 1' is straightforward, focusing on holding down root notes with a deep, even tone. The main challenge is maintaining a steady, even attack and dynamic control to match the song's moody atmosphere.

Worth knowing

Exact amp EQ settings not found; estimated from Ampeg SVT defaults and genre.
Compression is inferred from typical 90s studio practice and tone character.
String type not explicitly confirmed, but roundwounds are most likely for this era and sound.
No direct evidence of pedals or DI box for this specific song; chain inferred from era and studio norms.
Settings merged 75% AI / 25% web research. Type O Negative's 'Black No. 1' features a clean, deep, and supportive bass tone from Peter Steele, who typically used a Fender Precision (passive) with fingerstyle playing. The 1993 production leans on DI or very clean amp tones with moderate compression, punchy mids, and restrained treble—no distortion or grit.

⚡ Same tone, YOUR gear — re-dials the gain & EQ for your amp and pickups, free →

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Black No. 1 guitar tone — FAQ

What amp settings do I need for the Black No. 1 guitar tone?

Set your amp to roughly: gain 0, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 5, presence 4.5. These are community-researched baselines — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials them for your exact guitar and amp.

What gear was used for the Black No. 1 tone?

Original gear/effects: Amp: Ampeg SVT (likely SVT Classic, 1970s-80s era, studio use) · Strings: Roundwound (likely, based on era and tone; not explicitly confirmed) · Tuning: BEAD (confirmed by multiple forum sources for Type O Negative's low tuning style); Fender Precision Bass → (possible studio compressor) → Ampeg SVT (amp-mic'd, possible DI blend).

Can I get the Black No. 1 tone on a different guitar or amp?

Yes. Different guitars and amps need different knob positions to sound the same. GuitarToneAdapt models pickup output and wood brightness, then compensates so you match the record on your own rig.

How do I sound like Type O Negative on Black No. 1 — what gear and pedals?

Start with 100% neck (Precision split-coil only), the amp EQ above (gain 0, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 5, presence 4.5), and Fender Precision Bass → (possible studio compressor) → Ampeg SVT (amp-mic'd, possible DI blend). Then let GuitarToneAdapt compensate for the guitar, amp and pedals you actually own so it sits like the record.

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Settings are community-researched estimates, not official. GuitarToneAdapt adapts them to your gear. guitartoneadapt.com