Dimebag Darrell - Guitar Setup & Tunings
Pantera
Quick Facts
- Primary Tuning
- Full Step Down
- String Gauge
- .009-.042 (Standard), .009-.046 (Drop D), .009-.050 (D Standard), .011-.050 (C#)
- String Brand
- DR Strings (Hi-Voltage Signature Series)
- Genre
- Metal
About Dimebag Darrell's Sound
Darrell Lance Abbott (1966-2004) transformed metal guitar with Pantera's groove metal sound. His combination of heavy riffs, wild harmonics, and blues-influenced solos created a new template for extreme guitar. 'Dimebag' earned his nickname from selling marijuana for a dime. His signature squealing harmonics and dive-bomb techniques became widely imitated. After Pantera's breakup, he formed Damageplan. Tragically, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage in 2004 by a deranged fan. His influence on metal is incalculable - virtually every modern metal guitarist shows his influence. He's consistently voted among the greatest metal guitarists ever.
Tunings Used
D Standard - 6 songs
- Walk Try this tuning →
- Cemetery Gates Try this tuning →
- Mouth for War Try this tuning →
- 5 Minutes Alone Try this tuning →
- Domination Try this tuning →
- Floods Try this tuning →
E Standard (quarter-step down) - 1 song
- Cowboys from Hell Try this tuning →
C# Standard - 1 song
- I'm Broken Try this tuning →
String Setup
Primary Strings
DR Strings (Hi-Voltage Signature Series)
.009-.042 (Standard), .009-.046 (Drop D), .009-.050 (D Standard), .011-.050 (C#)
Why Dimebag Darrell uses these
Dimebag's tuning was unique - quarter-step down from standard (between E and Eb) on early albums, progressing to D standard and lower. He used surprisingly light strings (.009-.042 for standard, .009-.046 for dropped D) considering his heavy sound. His Dean ML guitars featured Floyd Rose tremolos essential for his dive-bomb squeals. The DR Hi-Voltage signature strings are treated for extended life. Dimebag's tone came primarily from his Randall amplifiers and Furman parametric EQ, which he used to sculpt his distinctive cutting midrange. His ability to make light strings sound massive influenced many players.