Solo Tone

Desolation Row

My Chemical Romance

Guitarpunk2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (Ray Toro's main guitar for this era/recording)

AmpMarshall JCM800 (studio recording amp, confirmed as main MCR amp for heavy tones)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely stock or Gibson Dirty Fingers bridge, see Source 11)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

fuzzElectro-Harmonix EHX Big Muff Pi

Notes

Studio recording, 2008-2009 (The Black Parade is Dead!/Desolation Row single era). Ray Toro is confirmed to use the Les Paul Standard and Marshall JCM800 for heavy/distorted tones in this period. Some sources mention other amps (Crate BV300H, Hiwatt), but JCM800 is most consistently cited for MCR's signature heavy sound. Pickup likely bridge humbucker for solo. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this solo.

Tone Character(9)

thick and saturatedaggressive and bitingsinging sustaintight, focused midsarticulate pick attackhigh-output humbucker claritypunchy and compressedslightly scooped low endcutting lead presence

Difficulty

The solo requires fast alternate picking, accurate bends, and tight palm muting at a high tempo, making it challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Guitar Rig Rundown: My Chemical Romance Tone Explained Curious on how to achieve guitar tones for a few songs My Chemical Romance - Ray Toro Guitar Gear Rig and Equipment Amp Settings for Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk My recreation of Ray's Les Paul from the Desolation Row ...

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