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Critical Acclaim Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold · 2000s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar

Schecter Synyster Custom American Flag

Pickups

Seymour Duncan Invader (bridge humbucker), Sustainiac (neck, not used in this solo)

Amp

Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head

Pickup Position

Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2007. Guitar and amp confirmed via 'making of Critical Acclaim' video and Equipboard. Settings estimated due to lack of explicit studio values. No evidence of live-specific gear for the solo.

Amp Settings

Mids

5.5

Bass

Gain

Reverb

1.5

Treble

7.5

Presence

6.5

Effects Chain

MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver · boost
Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay

Schecter Synyster Custom (bridge pickup) → MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver → Delay pedal (model unknown) → Bogner Uberschall amp (light digital reverb)

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Tone Character

tight and percussive
singing sustain
articulate high-end
aggressive pick attack
clear note separation
high output bridge humbucker bite
modern metal lead
slight solo boost
minimal ambient reverb
no modulation effects

Notes & Caveats

⚠️No explicit numeric amp settings for the studio recording found; settings estimated based on typical Bogner Uberschall usage for modern metal and forum consensus.
⚠️Pedal and effect usage for the solo section is not explicitly documented for the studio recording; delay is included due to clear audibility in the solo.
⚠️Exact delay pedal model not confirmed for studio; MXR MC401 Boost is confirmed on Gates' board but not specifically for this solo.
⚠️No evidence of chorus, flanger, phaser, or wah in the solo section.
⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Synyster Gates' solo tone on 'Critical Acclaim' is modern metal: tight, saturated, but articulate, likely using a high-gain amp (like a Mesa/Boogie or Peavey 5150) with moderate bass for punch, balanced mids for cut, bright treble and boosted presence for clarity, and minimal reverb for a dry, aggressive lead sound.