Riff Tone

Dead!

My Chemical Romance

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (Ray Toro, 1978 black Les Paul)

AmpMarshall JCM800 (limited edition reissue head, studio recording)

PickupsHumbuckers (likely stock late-70s Gibson humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveAnalog Man Analog Man Prince of Tone

overdriveBowman Audio Endeavors Bowman Audio Endeavors Overdrive

distortionJHS JHS Hard Drive

Notes

Studio recording for 'The Black Parade' (2006). Ray Toro used his 1978 black Les Paul Standard into a Marshall JCM800 reissue head for the main riff sections of 'Dead!'. Frank Iero likely used a similar setup for rhythm, but the primary heavy riff tone is Toro's Les Paul into the JCM800. Pedals confirmed from studio-era rig rundown; settings estimated based on era and genre.

Tone Character(10)

aggressive and riff-driventight palm-muted chugsrich, saturated distortioncrunchy and percussive attackarticulate high endpunchy midrangecutting presencefast, staccato rhythmdynamic and energeticslightly compressed sustain

Difficulty

The main riff of 'Dead!' is challenging due to its fast tempo, tight palm muting, and precise, syncopated rhythm work, requiring advanced right-hand control and stamina.

Sources

My Chemical Romance Rig Rundown - Premier Guitar My Chemical Romance Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard My Chemical Romance: 'We Are More Mature, More Confident On New Record'

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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