Guitar tone · metal

Nightwish guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 10 Nightwish songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: ESP Horizon NT-II (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen during 'Dark Passion Play' era studio sessions) into ENGL Powerball (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen for heavy rhythm tones on 'Dark Passion Play').

Guitars Nightwish used

ESP Horizon NT-II (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen during 'Dark Passion Play' era studio sessions)1 song
ESP Custom Shop Horizon NT1 song
ESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen's main guitar for studio recordings in late 1990s)1 song
ESP Horizon NT-II (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen in this era)1 song
ESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen signature, likely with EMG 81/85 pickups)1 song
ESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen's main studio guitar, 2011 era)1 song
Washburn N41 song
Washburn CS-7801 song

Amps Nightwish used

ENGL Powerball (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen for heavy rhythm tones on 'Dark Passion Play')1 song
Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MKII1 song
Marshall JCM9001 song
Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MKII (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen on Once album and era)1 song
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (studio recording, 2004)1 song
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier1 song
Laney VH100R1 song
Engl Powerball (E645)1 song

11 Nightwish tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Sleeping Sun · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen's main guitar for studio recordings in late 1990s)	Marshall JCM900	6
Amaranth · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Horizon NT-II (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen during 'Dark Passion Play' era studio sessions)	ENGL Powerball (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen for heavy rhythm tones on 'Dark Passion Play')	8
Élan · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Horizon EV-II Harem Girl Emppu Vuorinen Signature	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 100W 3-channel Solo Head (Multi-Watt) into Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet	7
End of All Hope · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen's main guitar for Century Child era)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, Century Child era)	8
Nemo · solo	Solo · distorted	ESP Horizon NT-II (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen in this era)	Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MKII (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen on Once album and era)	7.5
Nemo · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen signature, likely with EMG 81/85 pickups)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (studio recording, 2004)	8
Nemo (Remastered) · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Custom Shop Horizon NT	Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MKII	8.5
Over the Hills and Far Away (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn CS-780	Engl Powerball (E645)	7
She Is My Sin · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP EV-1 (Emppu Vuorinen signature, custom made, likely used on Wishmaster era studio recording)	Bogner Uberschall Series 120W Tube Guitar Amp Head with EL34s	8
Sleeping Sun (Live at Summer Breeze Open Air) · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn N4	Laney VH100R	7
Storytime · riff	Riff · distorted	ESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen's main studio guitar, 2011 era)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	8

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Nightwish use?

Across 10 researched songs, the amps that come up most are ENGL Powerball (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen for heavy rhythm tones on 'Dark Passion Play') (1 song), Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MKII (1 song), Marshall JCM900 (1 song), Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MKII (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen on Once album and era) (1 song).

What guitar did Nightwish use?

Most often: ESP Horizon NT-II (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen during 'Dark Passion Play' era studio sessions) (1 song), ESP Custom Shop Horizon NT (1 song), ESP Horizon Custom (Emppu Vuorinen's main guitar for studio recordings in late 1990s) (1 song), ESP Horizon NT-II (likely, as used by Emppu Vuorinen in this era) (1 song).

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

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