Guitar tone · metal

King Diamond guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 5 King Diamond songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s/1980s, as used by Andy La Rocque on King Diamond studio albums of this era) into Marshall JCM800 head and cabinet (most likely, as per Andy La Rocque's studio use in this era and genre conventions).

Guitars King Diamond used

Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s/1980s, as used by Andy La Rocque on King Diamond studio albums of this era)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Andy LaRocque on 'Fatal Portrait')1 song
Dean Custom 350 Floyd1 song
ESP E-II Horizon1 song
Jackson RR11 song
ESP Custom (Les Paul style, 24.75" scale, likely with Seymour Duncan humbuckers)1 song

Amps King Diamond used

Marshall JCM800 head and cabinet (most likely, as per Andy La Rocque's studio use in this era and genre conventions)1 song
Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, 1986)1 song
Line 6 Spider Valve Mk II HD1001 song
Line 6 Helix (amp modeling) into Crown Power Amplifier, Marshall 4x12 cabs with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers1 song
Unknown high-gain amp (likely Marshall or Peavey, not confirmed for this recording)1 song
Marshall JMP 50-watt head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet1 song

6 King Diamond tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Abigail (Live at Graspop) · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP E-II Horizon	Line 6 Helix (amp modeling) into Crown Power Amplifier, Marshall 4x12 cabs with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers	8
Sleepless Nights · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s/1980s, as used by Andy La Rocque on King Diamond studio albums of this era)	Marshall JCM800 head and cabinet (most likely, as per Andy La Rocque's studio use in this era and genre conventions)	7.5
Sleepless Nights · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Custom (Les Paul style, 24.75" scale, likely with Seymour Duncan humbuckers)	Marshall JMP 50-watt head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet	8
The Candle · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Andy LaRocque on 'Fatal Portrait')	Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, 1986)	5
The Puppet Master · solo	Solo · distorted	Jackson RR1	Unknown high-gain amp (likely Marshall or Peavey, not confirmed for this recording)	8
Voodoo · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean Custom 350 Floyd	Line 6 Spider Valve Mk II HD100	7.5

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did King Diamond use?

Across 5 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall JCM800 head and cabinet (most likely, as per Andy La Rocque's studio use in this era and genre conventions) (1 song), Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, 1986) (1 song), Line 6 Spider Valve Mk II HD100 (1 song), Line 6 Helix (amp modeling) into Crown Power Amplifier, Marshall 4x12 cabs with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers (1 song).

What guitar did King Diamond use?

Most often: Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s/1980s, as used by Andy La Rocque on King Diamond studio albums of this era) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Andy LaRocque on 'Fatal Portrait') (1 song), Dean Custom 350 Floyd (1 song), ESP E-II Horizon (1 song).

How do I get King Diamond's tone on my amp?

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