GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Welcome to the Black Parade Guitar Tone Settings
My Chemical Romance · 2000s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom (Ray Toro, primary for riff section)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock late-70s Les Paul Custom pickups)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2210 head (studio and live, riff section)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2006. Ray Toro used his black 1978 Les Paul Custom for the main riff sections of 'Welcome to the Black Parade.' The amp was a Marshall JCM800 2210, which is confirmed as his main studio and live amp for this era and song. Frank Iero played rhythm parts, but the main riff tone is Ray's Les Paul into the Marshall. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section beyond possible light amp reverb. Settings are averaged from user forum posts and typical JCM800 usage for this genre/era.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb1.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- mid-heavy and saturated
- tight palm-muted chugs
- crunchy overdrive
- rich, saturated tone
- aggressive, riff-driven energy
- thick and powerful
- articulate attack
- slightly compressed
- cutting upper mids
- controlled feedback
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio amp knob photos or official interviews with exact settings for this song; settings are averaged from forum posts and typical JCM800 usage for this genre/era.
- Pedal usage for the riff section is not confirmed in any source; no audible effects beyond amp distortion and possible light reverb.
- Frank Iero's rhythm tone may use additional pedals (e.g., Boss BD-2), but the main riff tone is Ray Toro's Les Paul into Marshall JCM800.
- Presence and reverb settings are estimated based on typical JCM800 usage and forum advice.
- If more precise studio documentation emerges, settings may need revision.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Ray Toro and Frank Iero used Mesa/Boogie amps with high gain and a tight, mid-forward EQ for the riff section, typical of mid-2000s emo/post-hardcore; bass is kept tight, mids are present but not honky, treble and presence are boosted for clarity, and reverb is minimal for a punchy, in-your-face sound.