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The End of Heartache — Killswitch Engage1 / 2
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The End of Heartache Guitar Tone Settings — Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage · 2000s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Caparison TAT Special (Adam Dutkiewicz signature) or Caparison Horus (Joel Stroetzel)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge humbucker) or EMG 81 (bridge, depending on player and year)
Amp
Peavey 5150 head into VHT 4x12 with P50E speakers OR Framus Dragon head into Mesa 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2003-2004 for 'The End of Heartache' album. Both Adam D and Joel used a blend of Peavey 5150 and Framus Dragon amps for rhythm tracks. No evidence of live or post-2010 digital rigs for this recording. No evidence of additional amp-based effects or cab changes for the riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
4.5
Bass
6
Gain
9
Reverb
0
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Maxon OD808 Overdrive · overdrive
  • Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor · noise_gate

Guitar → Maxon OD808 → Boss NS-2 → Peavey 5150 or Framus Dragon head → 4x12 cab

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • scooped mids
  • aggressive palm muting
  • high-gain saturation
  • chunky low end
  • razor-sharp high end
  • articulate pick attack
  • compressed and focused
  • minimal ambience
  • modern metalcore rhythm

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings for 'The End of Heartache' riff found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Peavey 5150/Framus Dragon usage in 2000s metal and forum discussions.
  • ⚠️Both Peavey 5150 and Framus Dragon were used for rhythm tracks; exact amp per guitarist per section is not specified in sources.
  • ⚠️Pickups may vary between Seymour Duncan JB and EMG 81 depending on guitarist and year; both are plausible for this album.
  • ⚠️No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, etc.) on the riff section; only overdrive/boost and noise gate are confirmed.
  • ⚠️No amp reverb or delay used; dry, tight rhythm tone is characteristic of this genre and era.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Killswitch Engage's 'The End of Heartache' features a tight, modern metal tone with saturated high gain, slightly scooped but not hollow mids, controlled bass for palm-muted clarity, and crisp treble/presence for articulation. The production is very dry, with little to no amp reverb, matching both the band's typical Mesa/Peavey setups and mid-2000s metalcore conventions.

Sources