Josh Homme's Pedalboard
Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme has one of the most distinctive guitar tones in modern rock. Tuned to C-standard with a mid-heavy EQ and tight, gated distortion, his sound is heavy without being traditionally 'metal.'
Signature Sound
Tight, mid-heavy distortion with a scooped-then-boosted EQ. Rhythmically precise, almost robotic tightness with an aggressive edge.
Famous Songs
Every Pedal on the Board
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Critical to Homme's mid-heavy tone sculpting — exact match in our database”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Dynamic overdrive — Morning Glory provides similar transparent drive”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Tremolo on 'No One Knows' and other QOTSA tracks”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Subtle delay for depth — exact match in our database”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
MXR Phase 90
$89
“Occasional phaser for psychedelic passages”
Total Rig Cost (affordable alternatives)
$695
More Famous Pedalboards
Frequently Asked Questions
What pedals does Josh Homme use?
Josh Homme is known for using Boss GE-7 EQ, Fulltone OCD, Boss TR-2 Tremolo, Boss DD-7 Delay, among others. See the full breakdown above with affordable alternatives.
How much does Josh Homme's pedalboard cost to recreate?
Recreating Josh Homme's rig with affordable alternatives costs around $695. The original pedals — especially vintage or signature models — can cost significantly more.
Can I get Josh Homme's tone on a budget?
Yes — each pedal above includes an affordable "Our Pick" alternative that captures the essential character of Josh Homme's sound. Focus on the 2-3 most important pedals first.
What amp does Josh Homme use?
Josh Homme's amp is a crucial part of their tone. While we focus on pedals here, check our signal chain guide for how pedal order affects your amp interaction.