Faint by Linkin Park — Amp Settings & Guitar Tone
Reference tone dialed on a Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster into a Fender Mustang LT25. Settings below are cited from real sources; open the page in a browser for the interactive version, or get this tone dialed for your exact gear.
To recreate the aggressive and tight tone of 'Faint' by Linkin Park, we'll use the Fender Mustang LT25's high-gain capabilities and the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s. The amp's modeling features allow us to approximate the Peavey 5150's high-gain sound, while the Stratocaster's bright single-coils will be compensated for with EQ adjustments to achieve the scooped midrange and emphasized bass and treble.
Signal chain settings
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s — Main rhythm guitar
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Position Blade Switch | Bridge Pickup | Select the bridge pickup for a tighter, more aggressive sound. |
| Master Volume | 8 | Set high to drive the amp harder and achieve the aggressive tone. |
| Tone 1 | Leave at default | Not used for the bridge pickup. |
| Tone 2 | 6 | Roll off some brightness to avoid harshness from the single-coils. |
Fender Mustang LT25 — Main amplifier
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preset Select | [11] METAL LEAD | This preset provides the high-gain structure necessary to emulate the Peavey 5150. |
| Gain | 8 | Increase gain to achieve the saturated distortion characteristic of the song. |
| Volume | 7 | Set to maintain a strong output without overpowering the mix. |
| Treble | 6 | Balance the brightness of the Stratocaster's single-coils with the preset's EQ. |
| Bass | 7 | Emphasize the low end to match the scooped midrange of the original tone. |
| Master | 6 | Output level — set to the volume you're playing at; this sets loudness, not tone. |
| Cabinet build | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Amp Models | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Effects | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
What Linkin Park actually used
The recording of 'Faint' featured Brad Delson using an Ibanez RG7 7-string guitar tuned to Drop B, processed through an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer and a Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor into a Peavey 5150 amplifier. The track also incorporated a live string section arranged by Mike Shinoda and David Campbell, recorded at NRG Studios in 2002.
- Ibanez RG7 7-string — main rhythm. tuned to Drop B
- Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer — overdrive. gain at 3, tone at 6, level at 7
- Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor — noise gate. hard cutoff
- Peavey 5150 — main amplifier. gain at 10, bass at 7, mids at 3, treble at 6, presence at 6
- Live string section — string arrangement. arranged by Mike Shinoda and David Campbell
Tuning: Drop B
Sources
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/classic-vibe-stratocaster-60s/0303010500.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1547905/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/guitar-amplifiers/contemporary-digital/mustang-lt25/2311100000.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3126493/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://www.guitarchalk.com/faint-amp-settings/
- https://linkinpedia.com/wiki/Faint
- https://guitarchalk.com/faint-amp-settings/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_(album)