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Ghost - Rats - Guitar Tab

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Tools

BPM
Key E minor
Ghost - Rats guitar tab video
Guillaume Vrac
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Tales From The Docks album cover
Tales From The Docks
2012 4:15
Listen on Spotify
Ghost Hard Rock 2012 E minor
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

About Rats

Running at 174 BPM in E minor, "Rats" by Ghost sits in that sweet spot where Hard Rock meets a kind of theatrical, driving energy that keeps the rhythm guitar front and center throughout. The song stays in E Standard tuning, so no retuning is needed, but the tempo demands tight, controlled picking if you want the riff to hit with the right punch rather than turning into mush. The main riff is the real homework here: it leans on precise downstrokes and a firm sense of groove, and any looseness in your picking hand will show up immediately at this speed. Start well below tempo and use the Practice Toolbar to loop the core riff slowed down, focusing on getting every note clean before pushing the BPM back up. The chord movement in E minor gives you a useful framework for studying how to build atmosphere through relatively simple harmony, letting the feel and attack do most of the heavy lifting.

  • The song runs at 174 BPM in E Standard tuning, so consistent downstroke stamina is key to keeping the main riff tight.
  • Working in E minor, the riff relies on a strong sense of rhythmic feel, making picking-hand control more important than technical complexity.
  • Looping the main riff at reduced speed using the Practice Toolbar will help you lock in the groove before bringing it up to full tempo.

How to Play Rats

Tuning: E Standard · Key: E minor · Tempo: 174 BPM

Loop the hardest passage and creep the speed up from around 70 percent until it holds at 174 BPM.

Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Ghost's Nameless Ghouls use the SG's sharp body and bright tonality for cutting through dense production with articulate rhythm work. The guitar's natural sustain helps their chunky riffs maintain clarity without modern metal muddiness.

ESP Eclipse
Guitar

ESP Eclipse

The Eclipse provides Ghost with a versatile platform for both studio recordings and live performances, offering the tight response needed for their mid-focused crunch tones. Its sleek design and reliable electronics support their atmospheric lead passages seamlessly.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

This amp delivers Ghost's signature mid-heavy crunch at moderate gain levels, staying clear and tight during palm muting without descending into saturated distortion. The Dual Rectifier's natural breakup at 5-6 gain is perfect for their contrast between clean and driven passages.

Seymour Duncan JB
Pickup

Seymour Duncan JB

Ghost's ESP guitars benefit from the JB's aggressive high-end bite and punchy output, cutting through the mix during heavier sections. This combination bridges the gap between their clean arpeggios and crunchy, riff-driven moments with powerful definition.

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9
Pedal

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

The TS9 tightens Ghost's rhythm tone and pushes their amp into responsive crunch without adding unnecessary coloration. This classic overdrive pedal is essential for maintaining their clean-to-driven dynamic without sacrificing the clarity they demand.

Boss CE-2 Chorus
Pedal

Boss CE-2 Chorus

The CE-2 creates the shimmery, dimensional quality throughout Ghost's atmospheric passages like Mary On A Cross and He Is. Its subtle modulation adds depth to clean arpeggios while respecting the band's minimalist effects philosophy.

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