Guitar tone · metal

Killswitch Engage guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 20 Killswitch Engage songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Caparison PLM-3 Pete Lesperance Signature into Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier.

Guitars Killswitch Engage used

Caparison PLM-3 Pete Lesperance Signature2 songs
Caparison TAT Special Adam Dutkiewicz Signature2 songs
Gibson Les Paul1 song
Caparison PLM (custom, Japan) or ESP LTD H-1000/EC-1000 (studio rhythm, 2006)1 song
Caparison Horus (likely 2006-2007, as used by Adam Dutkiewicz in studio)1 song
Caparison Horus (2000s model, as used by Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel on 'The End of Heartache' album)1 song
Caparison TAT Special (Adam Dutkiewicz signature, likely used for solos on this album)1 song
Caparison Dellinger (Joel Stroetzel signature) or EVH Wolfgang (Adam Dutkiewicz, heavily modded)1 song

Amps Killswitch Engage used

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier1 song
Peavey 5150/6505+ (primary), Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (blended), Framus Dragon (possible layering)1 song
Framus Cobra (studio recording amp for 'My Curse')1 song
Peavey 5150 (original block letter head, studio recording, 2003-2004 era)1 song
Peavey 5150 head into VHT 4x12 cabinet with P50E speakers (studio recording, 2003-2004)1 song
Laney Ironheart 120-watt head into 4x12 cab with Celestion Vintage 30s (primary for distortion); also possible use of Peavey 5150, Soldano, or Fortin for layering1 song
Peavey 5150 head into VHT 4x12 with P50E speakers (studio recording); Framus Dragon into Mesa 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s also used on album, but Peavey 5150 is primary for rhythm/riff1 song
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio amp for 'This Fire Burns', 2006 era)1 song

25 Killswitch Engage tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
My Curse · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	9
The End of Heartache · riff	Riff · distorted	Alder-bodied guitar with EMG 81 bridge pickup (likely ESP/LTD or custom Framus, as per Adam Dutkiewicz's and Joel Stroetzel's rigs at the time)	Framus Cobra head with Framus Cobra cab loaded with Celestion Greenbacks	9
Rose of Sharyn · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison Horus (2000s model, as used by Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel on 'The End of Heartache' album)	Peavey 5150 (original block letter head, studio recording, 2003-2004 era)	8
This Fire · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison Dellinger (likely Joel Stroetzel's signature or similar, as used on Killswitch Engage recordings mid-2000s)	Peavey 5150 (aka EVH 5150), Soldano SLO, or Fortin (studio blend, but 5150 is most likely for main riff)	8.5
This Is Absolution · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison TAT Special (Adam Dutkiewicz signature) or ESP/LTD MH-1000 (Joel Stroetzel, likely studio rhythm guitar)	Peavey 5150/6505 (studio, rhythm), possibly Framus Cobra or Dragon (layered/double-tracked); Marshall 1960A cab	8.5
My Curse · riff	Riff · clean	Caparison Horus (Joel Stroetzel signature, likely used in studio for clean parts)	Laney VH100R	0
Abandon Us · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison TAT Special Adam Dutkiewicz Signature	Peavey 5150 (original block letter) and Fortin amplifier (model unspecified), with cab simulator	8.5
In Due Time · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison Dellinger (Joel Stroetzel signature, likely 2012-2013 spec, mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood board)	Peavey 5150 (studio recording, rhythm/riff section; also Soldano SLO and Fortin mentioned as used in studio for album)	8
Be One · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison Dellinger (Joel Stroetzel signature) or EVH Wolfgang (Adam Dutkiewicz, heavily modded)	Laney Ironheart 120-watt head into 4x12 cab with Celestion Vintage 30s (primary for distortion); also possible use of Peavey 5150, Soldano, or Fortin for layering	8
Break the Silence · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (Adam Dutkiewicz, studio, 2006)	Peavey 5150 (studio recording, 2006)	0
Break the Silence · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison Horus (likely 2006 model, Adam Dutkiewicz signature or similar, as used on 'As Daylight Dies' sessions)	Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, as used by Killswitch Engage on 'As Daylight Dies' era)	8.5
Daylight Dies · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison PLM (custom, Japan) or ESP LTD H-1000/EC-1000 (studio rhythm, 2006)	Peavey 5150/6505+ (primary), Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (blended), Framus Dragon (possible layering)	8.5
For You · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison PLM-3 Pete Lesperance Signature	Peavey 5150 (studio), Framus Dragon (studio), Mesa Traditional 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s	8
Holy Diver · solo	Solo · distorted	Caparison PLM-3 Pete Lesperance Signature	Soldano SLO-100	8
Holy Diver · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP LTD EC-1000	Heavily modded Soldano SLO and Hughes & Kettner Triamp (studio recording, both boosted with Maxon OD808)	8.5
I Feel Alive Again · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP LTD H-1000 or EC-1000 (likely studio guitar, as per era and band usage)	Peavey 6505+ or EVH 5150 III (studio amp for this era and band, per source)	8.5
My Curse · solo	Solo · distorted	Caparison Horus (likely 2006-2007, as used by Adam Dutkiewicz in studio)	Framus Cobra (studio recording amp for 'My Curse')	8
My Last Serenade · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez UV777P	Unknown high-gain amp (likely Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier or Peavey 5150, but not confirmed for this recording)	9
Numbered Days · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (bridge pickup swapped for Seymour Duncan Hot Rails)	Peavey 5150	9
Reckoning · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison TAT Special (likely 2008-2009 model, as used by Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel in studio)	Peavey 5150 (primary rhythm amp for 'Reckoning' studio recording, per Adam Dutkiewicz interview)	8.5
Reject Yourself · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison TAT Special Adam Dutkiewicz Signature	Peavey 5150 (studio recording, 2006-2007 era)	8.5
The Arms of Sorrow · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP LTD H-1000 or EC-1000 (likely, based on era and studio use)	Peavey 6505+ (studio recording, 2006)	8.5
The End of Heartache · solo	Solo · distorted	Caparison TAT Special (Adam Dutkiewicz signature, likely used for solos on this album)	Peavey 5150 head into VHT 4x12 cabinet with P50E speakers (studio recording, 2003-2004)	8
The End of Heartache (Alternate Version) [Bonus Track] · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison PLM (custom built in Japan)	Peavey 5150 head into VHT 4x12 with P50E speakers (studio recording); Framus Dragon into Mesa 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s also used on album, but Peavey 5150 is primary for rhythm/riff	8.5
This Fire Burns (CM Punk) · riff	Riff · distorted	Caparison Horus (Adam Dutkiewicz's main guitar, 2006 era, used in studio and live for this song)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio amp for 'This Fire Burns', 2006 era)	8

Killswitch Engage 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 Killswitch Engage use?

Across 20 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (1 song), Peavey 5150/6505+ (primary), Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (blended), Framus Dragon (possible layering) (1 song), Framus Cobra (studio recording amp for 'My Curse') (1 song), Peavey 5150 (original block letter head, studio recording, 2003-2004 era) (1 song).

What guitar did Killswitch Engage use?

Most often: Caparison PLM-3 Pete Lesperance Signature (2 songs), Caparison TAT Special Adam Dutkiewicz Signature (2 songs), Gibson Les Paul (1 song), Caparison PLM (custom, Japan) or ESP LTD H-1000/EC-1000 (studio rhythm, 2006) (1 song).

How do I get Killswitch Engage's tone on my amp?

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