GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Hell Above Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil · 2010s+ · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP LTD EC-1000
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JMP 1959 Super Lead 100-Watt Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Collide With The Sky' (2012). Guitarist Tony Perry is confirmed to use the ESP LTD EC-1000 with EMG pickups and a Marshall JMP 1959 Super Lead for heavy rhythm tones. No direct evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. Pedals inferred from band’s typical studio setup and genre.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7.5
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- JHS Muffuletta · fuzz
- EarthQuaker Devices Hoof V1 · fuzz
ESP LTD EC-1000 (bridge pickup) → JHS Muffuletta → EarthQuaker Devices Hoof V1 → Marshall JMP 1959 Super Lead (spring reverb low)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- saturated high-gain
- aggressive palm muting
- articulate note separation
- compressed sustain
- cutting upper mids
- crisp pick attack
- modern post-hardcore clarity
- minimal ambient reverb
- punchy low end
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source lists exact amp knob settings for 'Hell Above'; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JMP usage in modern post-hardcore/rock context.
- Pedal models inferred from Equipboard and genre conventions; no studio photo or interview confirms exact pedal chain for this song.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects in the riff section; only gain/fuzz/overdrive effects are included.
- Guitar and amp models are confirmed for the album, but not explicitly tied to the riff section of 'Hell Above' in studio—confidence is high but not absolute.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Pierce the Veil's 'Hell Above' riff features a saturated, modern post-hardcore tone with tight low end, present mids, and aggressive, cutting treble. Vic Fuentes is known for using high-gain Mesa/Boogie amps with moderate bass, balanced mids, and boosted treble/presence for clarity, while keeping reverb nearly off for a dry, punchy mix.