TonesMatch
New Divide — LINKIN PARK1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

New Divide Riff Guitar Tone Settings — LINKIN PARK

LINKIN PARK · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
PRS Custom 24 (likely 2008 or 2009 model, as used by Brad Delson in this era)
Pickups
DiMarzio D-Sonic bridge humbucker (likely, based on era and forum/Reddit consensus)
Amp
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, as per multiple forum and Reddit sources)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording for 'New Divide' (2009). Guitar and amp inferred from Brad Delson's known studio rig for this era; no direct studio photo evidence for this exact session, but all sources agree on PRS + Mesa Dual Rectifier for this period. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
5.5
Bass
6
Gain
8
Reverb
1.5
Treble
7
Presence
6.5

Effects Chain

  • Chorus pedal (model unknown) · chorus
  • Noise gate (model unknown) · noise_gate

PRS Custom 24 (bridge pickup) → Chorus pedal → Noise gate → Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (light digital reverb)

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Tone Character

  • tight and metallic
  • high-gain saturation
  • clear, percussive attack
  • articulate low end
  • focused mids
  • slight top-end sizzle
  • compressed and controlled
  • modern, processed clarity
  • no audible fuzziness
  • studio-polished

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct studio photo or interview confirms the exact PRS model or pickup for 'New Divide' riff, but all sources agree Brad Delson used PRS Custom 24 with DiMarzio D-Sonic bridge pickup and Mesa Dual Rectifier for this era.
  • ⚠️No numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on typical Mesa Dual Rectifier settings for modern rock/nu-metal and genre/era conventions.
  • ⚠️No pedalboard or effect chain for the studio session is documented; effects inferred from audio and genre.
  • ⚠️No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section; all evidence points to PRS + Mesa Dual Rectifier.
  • ⚠️No evidence of effects loop use or specific pedal models for modulation/time-based effects.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Linkin Park's 'New Divide' riff uses a modern, tight, high-gain tone typical of Mesa/Boogie Rectifiers and Diezel amps, with slightly scooped mids, controlled bass for tightness, and enough treble/presence for attack and clarity. The production is dry and focused, with minimal reverb to keep the riff punchy and up-front.

Sources