Waiting for the End — LINKIN PARK1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence

Waiting for the End Solo Guitar Tone Settings — LINKIN PARK

LINKIN PARK · 2010s+ · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Ibanez Prestige RGT3120 (with DiMarzio D-Sonic bridge pickup)
Pickups
DiMarzio D-Sonic (bridge humbucker)
Amp
Hiwatt Lead 100 (into Marshall 1960A cab, studio); Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (live, but not for this studio solo)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (DiMarzio D-Sonic)

Studio recording for 'Waiting for the End' (2010, A Thousand Suns). Hiwatt Lead 100 was specifically miked for this song in studio; Ibanez RGT3120 with D-Sonic bridge pickup was used for B tuning songs in this era. Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier and 4x12 cabs are seen live but not confirmed for this solo's studio recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
6
Bass
5.5
Gain
6.5
Reverb
2.5
Treble
7
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer · compression
  • Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble · chorus
  • EarthQuaker Devices Disaster Transport Sr. · delay
  • Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor · noise_gate

Ibanez RGT3120 (bridge pickup) → Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer → Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble → EarthQuaker Devices Disaster Transport Sr. Delay → Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor → Hiwatt Lead 100 amp (spring reverb on, miked with Marshall 1960A cab)

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Tone Character

  • clear and articulate
  • slightly compressed sustain
  • moderate gain with clarity
  • present midrange for solo cut
  • tight low end
  • smooth top end, not harsh
  • delicate delay repeats
  • chorus shimmer
  • studio-polished
  • modern rock solo

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct amp knob settings for 'Waiting for the End' solo found; settings estimated based on Hiwatt Lead 100 typical use in modern rock and studio context.
  • ⚠️Ibanez RGT3120 with D-Sonic bridge pickup is confirmed for B tuning songs in this era, but not explicitly named for this solo; high confidence due to era and tuning.
  • ⚠️Mesa/Boogie Rectifier and 4x12 cabs are confirmed for live use, but Hiwatt Lead 100 is specifically cited for 'Waiting for the End' studio recording.
  • ⚠️Effects chain is inferred from pedalboard evidence and clear audio cues (delay, chorus) in the solo; specific pedal models are based on Brad Delson's known pedalboard from this era.
  • ⚠️No explicit pickup selector position stated, but bridge pickup is most likely for solo cut and clarity.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Brad Delson's solo tone on 'Waiting for the End' is a modern, slightly compressed high-gain sound with tight lows, balanced mids, and crisp but not harsh highs. The production is polished and relatively dry, matching Linkin Park's 2010s nu-metal/alt-rock style and typical amp settings for articulate, radio-friendly leads.

Sources