Riff Tone

Welcome to the Black Parade

My Chemical Romance

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (1978, black finish, Ray Toro's main guitar for this song's riff section)

AmpMarshall JCM800 100W head (borrowed from producer Rob Cavallo for The Black Parade studio recording)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, likely T-Top or similar late 70s/early 80s PAF-style)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionMXR MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion

Notes

Studio recording, 2006. Ray Toro played the main riff on his black 1978 Les Paul Custom through a Marshall JCM800 head. No evidence of single coils or alternate guitars for the main riff. Frank Iero played rhythm on a Les Paul or Telecaster through a modded Marshall Super Lead live, but the studio riff is Toro's Les Paul/JCM800 combo.

Tone Character(10)

saturated and compressedtight and articulateaggressive mid-heavy attacksinging sustain on power chordsclear note separation under gainpunchy and modernslightly scooped but present midsharmonically rich distortionpercussive and drivingnot overly fizzy or brittle

Difficulty

The riff requires solid palm muting and alternate picking at a moderate tempo, with tight rhythm and dynamic control to maintain clarity under high gain. Not technically advanced, but requires precision and stamina.

Sources

My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard My Chemical Romance Rig Rundown - Premier Guitar My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade ???how to get close to the"black parade"sound of MCR on budget My Chemical Romance Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard

This tone has been researched 14 times by the community

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