Guitar tone · metal

Children of Bodom guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 24 Children of Bodom songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: ESP Custom Shop Alexi Laiho Signature Model into Marshall JVM410H head into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet.

Guitars Children of Bodom used

ESP Custom Shop Alexi Laiho Signature Model1 song
ESP Alexi-600 (likely, as used by Alexi Laiho in this era for studio recording)1 song
ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop, as used in studio)1 song
ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, as used on 'Hatebreeder' era)1 song
ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely custom shop, 24-fret, alder body, maple neck, ebony fretboard, single bridge humbucker)1 song
ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop, as used in 2000 studio sessions)1 song
ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Signature (likely 'Pinky' or Arrowhead SE, EMG HZ H4 pickup, 24-fret, Floyd Rose bridge)1 song
ESP Alexi-2001 song

Amps Children of Bodom used

Marshall JVM410H head into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet3 songs
Marshall JVM410H2 songs
Engl Savage 120 or Engl Powerball1 song
Peavey 5150 (studio recording, as cited for 'Are You Dead Yet?' era)1 song
Lee Jackson Perfect Connection GP-1000 preamp into Marshall JCM800 power amp (studio recording era, pre-Marshall JVM410H)1 song
Lee Jackson Perfect Connection GP-1000 preamp into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, as confirmed for 'Hatebreeder' era)1 song
Marshall JCM 800 2203 (studio recording era, 2000)1 song
Marshall JCM 800 2203KK Kerry King Signature1 song

34 Children of Bodom tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Are You Dead Yet? · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi-600 (likely, as used by Alexi Laiho in this era for studio recording)	Peavey 5150 (studio recording, as cited for 'Are You Dead Yet?' era)	9.5
Downfall · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, as used on 'Hatebreeder' era)	Lee Jackson Perfect Connection GP-1000 preamp into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, as confirmed for 'Hatebreeder' era)	9.5
Everytime I Die · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or ESP Alexi-200, as used in studio for this era)	Peavey 5150 (studio recording amp for 'Follow the Reaper' era, confirmed for main riff tones)	9.5
Angels Don't Kill · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, 24-fret, alder body, maple neck, ebony fretboard)	Lee Jackson GP-1000 preamp into Marshall JCM800 power amp (studio recording era), likely into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet	9
Needled 24 / 7 · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, as used by Alexi Laiho in studio circa 2002)	Peavey 5150 II head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 2002 era)	9
Sixpounder · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or ESP Alexi Blacky, as used by Alexi Laiho in early 2000s studio recordings)	Peavey 5150 II	9
Angels Don't Kill · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, as used on 'Hate Crew Deathroll')	Marshall 2203KK Kerry King Signature JCM800 Head	8.5
Are You Dead Yet (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi-200	Marshall JCM 800 2203KK Kerry King Signature	8.5
Are You Dead Yet? · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Custom Shop Alexi Laiho Signature Model	Engl Savage 120 or Engl Powerball	9
Bed of Razors · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Signature (likely 'Pinky' or Arrowhead SE, EMG HZ H4 pickup, 24-fret, Floyd Rose bridge)	Marshall JVM410H	8.5
Bed of Razors · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Custom Shop Alexi Laiho (Jackson RR-style V, alder body, maple neck, ebony fretboard, 24 frets, single bridge pickup)	Peavey 5150 (original block letter, high-gain tube amp, studio recording)	9.5
Black Widow · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely 'Blacky' or Arrow Head, as used in studio and live during this era)	Marshall JCM800 2203KK Kerry King Signature head into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet	9
Downfall · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop, with Floyd Rose)	Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 Head	9.5
Downfall (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi-200 (Alexi Laiho signature V-style, likely with EMG HZ H4 or passive humbucker)	Marshall JVM410H head into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet	9.5
Everytime I Die · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop, as used in studio)	Lee Jackson Perfect Connection GP-1000 preamp into Marshall JCM800 power amp (studio recording era, pre-Marshall JVM410H)	8
Follow the Reaper · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop, as used in 2000 studio sessions)	Marshall JCM 800 2203 (studio recording era, 2000)	8.5
Follow the Reaper · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop, with Floyd Rose and single bridge humbucker)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (often cited as studio amp for Follow the Reaper era, with Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab)	8.5
Hatebreeder · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Custom Shop Alexi Laiho (Jackson RR24-style, likely with EMG HZ H4 pickup)	Lee Jackson GP-1000 preamp into VHT (Fryette) Classic power amp	9.5
Hatebreeder (Alternate Version) · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Custom Shop Alexi Laiho (Jackson RR-style, alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard)	Marshall Valvestate VS100R	8.5
In Your Face · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely 'ESP Alexi-600' or custom shop variant, as used on 'Are You Dead Yet?' album)	Lee Jackson Perfect Connection GP-1000 preamp into Marshall JCM800 power amp (studio recording, 2005 era)	8.5
Kissing the Shadows · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, as used by Alexi Laiho in 2000 studio recordings)	Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 (used in studio for 'Follow the Reaper' album, 2000)	9
Kissing the Shadows · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, as used on 'Follow the Reaper' album)	Peavey 5150 (original block letter, as used by Alexi Laiho in studio for 'Follow the Reaper')	9
Kissing the Shadows · distorted	Distorted · distorted	ESP LTD F-404 (likely, or similar ESP 4-string, as used by Henkka Seppälä on 'Follow the Reaper')	Ampeg SVT-3 Pro (studio era, most likely; Ampeg SVT Classic also possible, but SVT-3 Pro is documented for Henkka in this period)	7.5
Living Dead Beat · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely 'Blacky' or similar, as used on Are You Dead Yet? era)	Lee Jackson GP-1000 preamp into Marshall JCM800 or VHT power amp (studio); possibly Marshall Kerry King JCM800 variant (some sources suggest studio use)	9.5
Not My Funeral · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop, black finish, scalloped upper frets, Floyd Rose, single bridge humbucker, preamp boost)	Marshall JVM410H head into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet (Celestion Greenbacks)	8.5
Not My Funeral · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (custom shop or LTD/ESP Alexi-600, likely 'Blacky' or similar signature V shape)	Lee Jackson GP-1000 preamp into VHT (Fryette) 2150 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12T-75 speakers	8.5
Oops!...I Did It Again · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or ESP E-II Alexi)	Marshall JVM (OD2 channel, red mode)	8.5
Relentless, Reckless Forever · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely custom shop, single bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose, 24 frets)	Marshall JVM410H	9.5
Roundtrip To Hell and Back · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, as used in studio circa 2010-2011)	Peavey 5150 (studio recording amp for this era, confirmed in multiple rig rundowns)	9.5
Scream for Silence · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely custom shop, 24-fret, alder body, maple neck, ebony fretboard, single bridge humbucker)	Marshall JVM410H head into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet	9
Silent Night, Bodom Night · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, 24-fret, Floyd Rose, single bridge humbucker)	Peavey 5150 (original block letter, likely studio head)	9
Sixpounder · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or Custom Shop, Japanese-made, as used on studio recordings ca. 2002)	Marshall JCM900 4100 (studio era) into Marshall 1960A/B 4x12 cabinet	9
Sixpounder (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Jackson Custom Shop RR24 with green pinstripes	Marshall JCM800 2203 (live setup, typical for Alexi Laiho in early 2000s)	9
Soon Departed · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely Greeny or similar V shape, as used on 'Hexed' era)	Marshall JVM410H head into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet	8

Children of Bodom songs on popular amps

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use for these songs on their own amps.

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Children of Bodom use?

Across 24 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall JVM410H head into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet (3 songs), Marshall JVM410H (2 songs), Engl Savage 120 or Engl Powerball (1 song), Peavey 5150 (studio recording, as cited for 'Are You Dead Yet?' era) (1 song).

What guitar did Children of Bodom use?

Most often: ESP Custom Shop Alexi Laiho Signature Model (1 song), ESP Alexi-600 (likely, as used by Alexi Laiho in this era for studio recording) (1 song), ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop, as used in studio) (1 song), ESP Alexi Laiho Signature (likely ESP Alexi-600 or custom shop variant, as used on 'Hatebreeder' era) (1 song).

How do I get Children of Bodom's tone on my amp?

Open any Children of Bodom song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.