TonesMatch
I Don't Wanna Be Me — Type O Negative1 / 2
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I Don't Wanna Be Me Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Type O Negative

Type O Negative · 2000s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Schecter Kenny Hickey Signature Solo-6 EX S Sustainiac
Pickups
Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (bridge), Sustainiac (neck)
Amp
ADA MP-1 Preamp into Marshall JCM800 (studio, 2002 era, as per Kenny Hickey's typical rig for this album)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording for 'Life Is Killing Me' (2002). Kenny Hickey used his signature Schecter with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge for rhythm/riff sections. The ADA MP-1 preamp into a Marshall JCM800 was his main studio setup for this era. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio recording. No evidence of pedal-based distortion for the main riff; all gain from preamp/amp. No evidence of effects loop use for riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
4.5
Bass
6
Gain
8
Reverb
1
Treble
7
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • scooped midrange
  • aggressive palm muting
  • high-gain saturation
  • articulate attack
  • chunky low end
  • slightly scooped but not hollow
  • modern metal clarity
  • minimal ambience
  • focused, punchy riff tone

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct studio amp settings for 'I Don't Wanna Be Me' riff found; settings estimated based on Kenny Hickey's stated rig, genre, and era.
  • ⚠️No evidence of pedal-based distortion or modulation in the riff section; all gain from amp/preamp.
  • ⚠️Some forum posts list user amp settings (e.g., Marshall MG50CFX with gain 10, bass 0, mid 10, treble 10), but these are not from the original recording and are not physically realistic for the actual studio rig.
  • ⚠️No evidence of chorus, flanger, delay, or other modulation/time-based effects in the riff section; chorus is used by Hickey but not audible in this part.
  • ⚠️Presence and reverb settings estimated based on typical Marshall/ADA MP-1 metal tones from early 2000s.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice inferred from genre and tone; bridge pickup is standard for tight, percussive metal rhythm.
  • ⚠️If new evidence emerges about pedals or effects used in the studio for this song's riff, update accordingly.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Type O Negative's 'I Don't Wanna Be Me' features a thick, saturated high-gain tone with a tight low end, slightly scooped mids, and enough treble/presence for clarity. Kenny Hickey typically used Peavey 5150s or Mesa Dual Rectifiers with moderate bass, slightly reduced mids, and little to no reverb, matching early 2000s metal production.

Sources