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Nightmare Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S
Pickups
Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader (bridge), Sustainiac (neck)
Amp
Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2010. Guitar and amp confirmed for 'Nightmare' album era. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver · boost
Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S (bridge pickup) → MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver → Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head (slight amp reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- articulate pick attack
- chunky low end
- focused mids
- slightly scooped but present
- modern metal clarity
- compressed noise floor
- fast note definition
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'Nightmare' studio riff found; settings estimated based on genre, amp model, and forum guidance.
- Pedals are only included if confirmed for this era or audibly required; no evidence of time-based or modulation effects in the riff section.
- MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver is confirmed in Synyster Gates' rig for this era, but no evidence of other pedals used in the main riff.
- Settings are inferred from typical Bogner Uberschall metal usage and user forum comments about 'lots of mids and bass' (~70%).
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Synyster Gates typically uses high-gain amps (like the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier or EVH 5150) with tight, modern metal settings: aggressive gain, controlled bass for clarity, slightly scooped but present mids, and bright but not harsh treble/presence. The tone is dry with minimal reverb, matching the punchy, articulate sound of 'Nightmare.'