Riff Tone

Helena

My Chemical Romance

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarEpiphone Les Paul Custom (Ray Toro, studio recording)

AmpMarshall JCM2000 TSL 100 Triple Super Lead 3-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge humbucker), stock neck humbucker

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Notes

Studio recording, 2004, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge sessions. Ray Toro's main guitar for the album was an Epiphone Les Paul Custom with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge. Amp confirmed by Equipboard and multiple forum sources. Frank Iero's rhythm part likely used a Gibson Les Paul Standard into an Orange amp, but this entry focuses on Ray Toro's main riff tone.

Tone Character(10)

tight, saturated rhythm crunchaggressive palm-muted chugsarticulate attackfull-bodied midrangemodern punk/emo claritycompressed, focused distortionslight top-end sizzlecontrolled low-end punchwall-of-sound layeringstudio double-tracked guitars

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its palm muting, precise picking, and maintaining clarity in a dense, layered mix. The tempo is moderate but demands tightness and control.

Sources

My Chemical Romance – Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Who knows what pedal effects and amp use in MCR Helena? - Reddit does anyone have any tips to get three cheers guitar tone? - Reddit

This tone has been researched 4 times by the community

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