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A Shot In The Dark Riff Guitar Tone Settings — A Day to Remember
A Day to Remember · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP LTD EC-401B
Pickups
EMG 81/85 active humbuckers
Amp
EVH 5150 III 100-Watt Tube Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'A Shot In The Dark' (2009 album 'Homesick'). Neil Westfall confirmed use of EVH 5150 III and LTD EC-401B with EMG pickups for this era. No pedals used in front of the amp for this album; Tube Screamer was not used until later albums. No evidence of Kemper or Diezel Herbert for this specific recording. Settings estimated based on typical 5150 III metal rhythm tones and genre/era. Studio context.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb0.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- chunky low end
- articulate attack
- modern metalcore clarity
- focused midrange
- crisp top end
- low noise floor
- fast note decay
Notes & Caveats
- No direct amp knob settings for 'A Shot In The Dark' found; settings estimated based on typical EVH 5150 III metal rhythm tones and genre/era.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used on this specific recording; Tube Screamer was not used until 'Common Courtesy' (2013) per artist interview.
- No evidence of Kemper or Diezel Herbert use for this specific song/album; only EVH 5150 III confirmed for 'Homesick' era.
- No time-based or modulation effects are audible in the riff section; tone is dry and direct.
- Pickup model inferred from standard LTD EC-401B specs for this era.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. A Day to Remember's 'A Shot In The Dark' riff features a tight, modern metalcore tone with high gain, controlled low end, slightly scooped but not hollow mids, and enough treble/presence for clarity without harshness. Reverb is minimal for a punchy, dry mix typical of 2000s post-hardcore/metalcore production.