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Nightmare — Avenged Sevenfold1 / 2
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Nightmare Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold · 2010s+ · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Schecter Synyster Gates Custom
Pickups
Seymour Duncan Synyster Gates Invader (humbucker, bridge position)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (100W 3-channel Solo Head) into 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2010. Gear confirmed for 'Nightmare' album sessions. Synyster Gates played the solo with his signature Schecter guitar and high-gain Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amp. Cabinet is a 4x12 with Vintage 30s. No evidence of live/tour-specific substitutions for the studio recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
5.5
Bass
6
Gain
8
Reverb
1.5
Treble
7.5
Presence
6.5

Effects Chain

  • MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver · boost
  • Visual Sound H2O · delay
  • Noise Gate (model unknown) · noise_gate

Schecter Synyster Gates Custom → MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver → Visual Sound H2O (delay) → Noise Gate → Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier → 4x12 Vintage 30 cab (amp spring reverb on low)

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • singing sustain
  • articulate high-gain
  • aggressive attack
  • clear note separation
  • slightly scooped mids
  • crisp pick attack
  • modern metal saturation
  • harmonic overtones
  • cutting presence

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct studio amp knob photos for 'Nightmare' solo; settings estimated based on genre, era, and multiple forum/gear sources.
  • ⚠️Delay is clearly audible in the solo, but exact pedal model not confirmed for this specific recording; Visual Sound H2O and MXR MC401 Boost are known Synyster Gates pedals from this era.
  • ⚠️No explicit evidence of wah, chorus, flanger, or phaser in the 'Nightmare' solo section.
  • ⚠️Presence and reverb settings inferred from typical Mesa/Boogie Rectifier use in metal studio contexts.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice inferred from genre and Synyster Gates' typical soloing style (bridge humbucker).
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Synyster Gates' solo tone on 'Nightmare' is modern high-gain with tight lows, present mids, and bright, cutting highs, typical of his Mesa/Boogie Rectifier setup. The solo is articulate but saturated, with minimal reverb for clarity and a boosted presence for definition in the mix.

Sources