GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Knives and Pens Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Schecter Tempest Standard
Pickups
Schecter stock humbuckers (likely high-output, ceramic, model unspecified)
Amp
Marshall AVT150H Half Stack
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Gear confirmed via multiple Equipboard entries and music video stills for the 'Knives and Pens' studio recording (2009). Guitarist: Chris Bluser. No evidence of pedals or alternate amps for the riff section. Settings estimated based on amp type and genre; no numeric settings found in sources.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive palm muting
- saturated high-gain
- articulate note separation
- slightly scooped mids
- crisp high end
- controlled feedback
- modern metalcore attack
- punchy low end
- clear pick definition
Notes & Caveats
- No specific numeric amp settings found in any source; settings estimated based on Marshall AVT150H typical use in metalcore context.
- No explicit mention of pedals or effects for the riff section in any source; no delay, chorus, or modulation effects are audible in the main riff.
- Pickups are listed as stock Schecter humbuckers; exact model not specified in sources.
- If alternate guitars (Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro, Fender Jazzmaster) were used, they are not visually confirmed for the riff section in the studio recording.
- All settings and effects are for the studio recording, not live performances.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Knives and Pens' riff uses a modern metalcore tone: high gain for saturation and sustain, tight but not boomy lows, slightly scooped mids for aggression, bright/cutting treble, and boosted presence for clarity. Reverb is nearly dry, matching the genre's tight, punchy production style.