Adam Jones, the enigmatic guitarist for the progressive metal titans Tool, is renowned for crafting soundscapes as intricate and expansive as the band’s labyrinthine compositions. Tool, despite being a trio, conjures a colossal sound, a testament to the meticulous layering and sonic architecture built by its members. Jones, far from being a typical rock showman, remains focused and deliberate onstage, channeling his energy into the complex tapestry of Tool’s music. Listeners often marvel at the depth and complexity of Tool’s guitar work, frequently mistaking it for the product of multiple guitarists. However, it is solely the masterful Adam Jones wielding his signature sound, a sound significantly shaped by his innovative use of gear, notably the Boss PSM5 Power Supply. Jones has carved a unique niche in modern rock guitar, pioneering techniques and sonic textures that are instantly recognizable as Tool. His approach is not about flashy solos, but about building sonic foundations and meticulously layering instruments to create the band’s signature immersive experience. A crucial element in this process is Jones’ guitar rig, intelligently divided and switchable thanks to the Boss PSM5, allowing him to create loops and textures over which he weaves further guitar layers.
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Adam Jones’ Signature Guitars: The Gibson Les Paul and Beyond
Unlike many contemporary guitarists who frequently swap instruments between songs, Adam Jones is famously loyal to his main axe: a Gibson Les Paul Custom. This isn’t just any Les Paul; it’s a custom-built instrument equipped with Seymour Duncan Trembucker pickups, specifically the SH-4 JB model in the bridge position. This pickup choice is crucial to Jones’ tone, providing the aggressive yet articulate voice needed for Tool’s dynamic range. The SH-4 JB is known for its high output and versatility, capable of delivering both powerful crunch and soaring leads, perfectly aligning with Jones’ diverse playing style. While the Les Paul Custom is his workhorse, Jones has occasionally been seen using a Guild acoustic guitar for the sparser, more textural moments in Tool’s discography, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to sonic texture across the band’s diverse catalog.
Amplification: Powering Tool’s Dynamic Sound
Adam Jones’ amplifier choices are as crucial as his guitars in sculpting Tool’s immense sound. While studio sessions have seen him experiment with various amp heads, two models consistently emerge as cornerstones of his amplified tone: the Diezel VH4 and a vintage Marshall “Super Bass” 100W head. Both are tube amplifiers, essential for achieving the warmth, responsiveness, and dynamic range that characterize Jones’ guitar sound. The Diezel VH4 is a high-gain monster, known for its articulate distortion and powerful low-end, while the vintage Marshall Super Bass provides a classic British rock tone, adding warmth and thickness to the overall sonic palette. To fully realize the breadth of Tool’s frequency spectrum, Jones employs a combination of speaker cabinets: two Marshall 4×12 guitar cabinets paired with two Mesa/Boogie bass cabinets. This unconventional pairing contributes significantly to Tool’s signature sound, blending the focused midrange of guitar cabs with the extended low-end response of bass cabinets, creating a massive and enveloping sonic presence.
Effects Pedals: Crafting Textures, Not Just Distortion
Despite Tool’s complex and distinctive sound, Adam Jones’ pedalboard is surprisingly streamlined, eschewing a vast collection of effects in favor of carefully selected tools used with precision. Interestingly, Jones forgoes a dedicated distortion pedal, instead relying on a series of gain pedals to push his tube amplifiers into overdrive. This approach allows for a more organic and dynamic distortion, responding directly to his playing nuances. His core effects include:
- Dunlop CryBaby BB-535 Wah: For expressive sweeps and vocal-like inflections.
- BOSS BF-2 Flanger: Adding swirling, jet-plane-like modulation.
- BOSS DD-3 Digital Delay: Creating rhythmic echoes and spatial depth.
- BOSS PSM-5 Power Supply: Crucial for switching and signal routing in his dual-amp setup.
- BOSS CE-5 Chorus: Adding subtle thickening and shimmering textures.
- BOSS SYB-5 Bass Synthesizer: Expanding the sonic palette with synth-bass tones.
- MXR Micro Amp Gain Boost: Providing clean boosts for solos or pushing the amp further into overdrive.
- Voodoo-Lab Tremolo: Creating pulsating and rhythmic volume modulation.
- DOD FX40B EQ: Fine-tuning frequencies and shaping his tone.
- Roland VK-8M Organ Module: Adding lush organ textures, often triggered via MIDI pedals.
Beyond Traditional Guitar: Synth and Talk Box Innovations
Adam Jones’ sonic innovation extends beyond conventional guitar techniques. He incorporates a Heil Talk Box pedal, a device that allows him to shape his guitar tone with his mouth through a microphone, creating vocalized guitar effects. An MXR DynaComp pedal is used in conjunction with the talk box, providing dynamic control for extended sustain and smooth release of the effect.
Further pushing the boundaries of guitar in Tool’s sound, Jones utilizes an Access Virus synthesizer, controlled by Roland PK-5 MIDI foot pedals. This setup enables him to trigger synth pads and electronic textures live, seamlessly integrating electronic elements into Tool’s organic rock sound. He primarily uses older Virus models, likely a Virus B or C from the late 90s/early 2000s, connecting them via MIDI to the Roland PK-5 pedals. While he also incorporates a newer Virus TI, both synth units are routed directly to the PA system, separate from his guitar amplifiers, highlighting the distinct role of these elements in Tool’s sonic architecture.
Conclusion: The Art of Subtlety and Innovation in Adam Jones’ Rig
Adam Jones’ guitar rig is a reflection of his playing style: meticulously crafted, innovative, and deeply integral to Tool’s unique identity. While the technical signal flow may seem complex, the core of his setup lies in a thoughtful selection of effects, maximized for their expressive potential. This approach, prioritizing depth and texture over sheer quantity of gear, is fundamental to what makes Tool one of rock music’s most enduring and sonically adventurous treasures. Jones’ mastery isn’t just about the gear itself, but about how he utilizes each component to build layers of sound, creating the immersive and signature sonic world of Tool.
References
Admin. (2010, September 15). Tool’s Gear Revealed. Retrieved from: http://www.jimdunlop.com/blog/tools-gear-revealed/
areneros. (2006). Tool – Stinkfist [hd – fullscreen]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07pLGIgyfjw
jimdunlopusa. (2010, September 13). DunlopTV – Tool’s Guitar Tech Chris Leahey. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEVu7WTeQHw
UberProaudio. (2007). Tool’s Adam Jones Guitar Gear rig and Equipment. Retrieved from: http://www.uberproaudio.com/who-plays-what/141-tools-adam-jones-guitar-gear-rig-and-equipment
