Guitar tone · metal

Helloween guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 7 Helloween songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: ESP Mirage Custom (Kai Hansen) or Fender Stratocaster (Michael Weikath), both with humbuckers into Marshall JCM800 2203.

Guitars Helloween used

ESP Mirage Custom (Kai Hansen) or Fender Stratocaster (Michael Weikath), both with humbuckers1 song
1980s ESP Flying V (custom, 'Pink V')1 song
1984 Gibson Les Paul Custom1 song
ESP RV-300KH (Kai Hansen signature, 'Pink V')1 song
Jackson Soloist (likely custom, 1987 era, as used by Kai Hansen/Michael Weikath in Helloween studio recordings)1 song
ESP Flying V Custom (Kai Hansen's main guitar for the album, late 1970s model)1 song
ESP E-II Horizon NT-7B (likely for Sascha Gerstner, one of the soloists on 'Skyfall')1 song
ESP Eclipse (Kai Hansen signature, likely used on this era's recordings)1 song

Amps Helloween used

Marshall JCM800 22032 songs
Marshall 1987X 50 Watt Head (modded for extra gain, into 4x12 Marshall cab with Celestion Vintage 30s)1 song
Marshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet1 song
Marshall 1960A/1960B Full-Stack (likely JCM800 head, era-appropriate for 1988 studio recording)1 song
Marshall JCM800 2203 (studio recording, 1987)1 song
Marshall 1987 50W head (modded for extra gain) into 4x12 Marshall cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers1 song
ENGL Special Edition E670 (typical for Helloween studio solos in this era)1 song
Marshall 1987X 50 Watt Head (modded, through 4x12 Marshall cab with Celestion Vintage 30s)1 song

9 Helloween tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Skyfall · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP E-II Horizon NT-7B (likely for Sascha Gerstner, one of the soloists on 'Skyfall')	ENGL Special Edition E670 (typical for Helloween studio solos in this era)	7.5
A Tale That Wasn't Right · solo	Solo · distorted	Jackson Soloist (likely custom, 1987 era, as used by Kai Hansen/Michael Weikath in Helloween studio recordings)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (studio recording, 1987)	7.5
Eagle Fly Free · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Mirage Custom (Kai Hansen's main guitar for Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II era)	Marshall JCM800 2203	7.5
Follow the Sign · solo	Solo · distorted	1980s ESP Flying V (custom, 'Pink V')	Marshall 1987X 50 Watt Head (modded for extra gain, into 4x12 Marshall cab with Celestion Vintage 30s)	8
I Want Out · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Mirage Custom (Kai Hansen) or Fender Stratocaster (Michael Weikath), both with humbuckers	Marshall JCM800 2203	7.5
I Want Out · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP RV-300KH (Kai Hansen signature, 'Pink V')	Marshall 1960A/1960B Full-Stack (likely JCM800 head, era-appropriate for 1988 studio recording)	7.5
Keeper of the Seven Keys · riff	Riff · clean	1984 Gibson Les Paul Custom	Marshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet	0
Keeper of the Seven Keys · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Flying V Custom (Kai Hansen's main guitar for the album, late 1970s model)	Marshall 1987 50W head (modded for extra gain) into 4x12 Marshall cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers	7.5
Universe (Gravity For Hearts) · riff	Riff · clean	ESP Eclipse (Kai Hansen signature, likely used on this era's recordings)	Marshall 1987X 50 Watt Head (modded, through 4x12 Marshall cab with Celestion Vintage 30s)	0

Helloween songs on popular amps

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

Universe (Gravity For Hearts) on Positive Grid BIAS FX 2

Get Helloween's tone on your gear

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Helloween use?

Across 7 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall JCM800 2203 (2 songs), Marshall 1987X 50 Watt Head (modded for extra gain, into 4x12 Marshall cab with Celestion Vintage 30s) (1 song), Marshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (1 song), Marshall 1960A/1960B Full-Stack (likely JCM800 head, era-appropriate for 1988 studio recording) (1 song).

What guitar did Helloween use?

Most often: ESP Mirage Custom (Kai Hansen) or Fender Stratocaster (Michael Weikath), both with humbuckers (1 song), 1980s ESP Flying V (custom, 'Pink V') (1 song), 1984 Gibson Les Paul Custom (1 song), ESP RV-300KH (Kai Hansen signature, 'Pink V') (1 song).

How do I get Helloween's tone on my amp?

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