GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Bring Me to Life Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Evanescence
Evanescence · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
PRS Custom 24 (early 2000s, likely used by Ben Moody on Fallen album)
Pickups
PRS HFS Treble (bridge) and Vintage Bass (neck) humbuckers
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, Fallen era, 2002-2003)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Bring Me to Life' (Fallen, 2003). Ben Moody is credited for the main riff. PRS Custom 24 with stock humbuckers into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier is the most widely cited setup for the heavy rhythm tones on the album. No evidence of overdrive/distortion pedals; all gain from amp. No evidence of modulation or time-based pedals on the riff. No evidence of effects loop use. Settings estimated based on typical Dual Rectifier usage for early 2000s nu-metal/alt-metal.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb1.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- saturated high-gain rhythm
- mid-heavy punch
- articulate low end
- aggressive palm muting
- modern nu-metal clarity
- slight amp reverb for space
- no audible modulation
- focused, compressed attack
- high output humbucker bite
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source gives exact amp knob settings for 'Bring Me to Life' riff; settings estimated based on typical Mesa Dual Rectifier usage for early 2000s nu-metal/alt-metal.
- No evidence of pedals or modulation/time-based effects used on the riff section; all gain from amp.
- Guitar and amp models are widely agreed upon for Fallen-era rhythm tones, but not confirmed by direct studio documentation.
- If more precise studio notes or isolated track analysis become available, settings may need revision.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Evanescence's 'Bring Me to Life' riff uses a modern, saturated high-gain tone typical of early 2000s nu-metal/alt-metal, with tight bass, slightly scooped but not hollow mids, and enough treble/presence for clarity. The production is dry and punchy, with minimal reverb, matching the genre and era.