Psychosocial by Slipknot — 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, high-gain tone of 'Psychosocial,' we'll use the Fender Mustang LT25's 'METAL LEAD' preset as a starting point. This preset provides the necessary high-gain saturation and modern metal character. The Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster will substitute for a superstrat, with its bright single-coil pickups adjusted to mimic the humbucker sound.
Signal chain settings
Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster — main rhythm guitar
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup Selector | Bridge Pickup | Select the bridge pickup for a sharper, more aggressive tone. |
| Master Volume | 8 | Set high to drive the amp harder and achieve the necessary gain. |
| Tone 1 | Leave at default | Not used as it controls neck and middle pickups. |
| Tone 2 | 6 | Roll back slightly to tame brightness and mimic humbucker warmth. |
Fender Mustang LT25 — main amplifier
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preset | [11] METAL LEAD | This preset provides a high-gain modern metal tone, similar to the Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier. |
| Gain | 7 | Increase to achieve the tight, saturated distortion characteristic of the song. |
| Volume | 5 | Balance to avoid overpowering the mix while maintaining clarity. |
| Treble | 6 | Set to cut through the mix with sharp articulation. |
| Bass | 7 | Boost to provide a strong low end, essential for the heavy tone. |
| Master | 5 | Adjust to control overall output without affecting 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. |
What Slipknot actually used
Slipknot recorded 'Psychosocial' at Sound Farm Studio in Jamaica, Iowa, with producer Dave Fortman. The track features a tight, high-gain guitar tone achieved through the combination of Ibanez MTM1 guitars, Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer pedals, and Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier amplifiers. The guitars were tuned to Drop A to achieve the song's heavy, low-end sound.
- Ibanez MTM1 — main rhythm. tuned to Drop A
- Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer — overdrive boost. used to tighten low end and boost mids
- Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier — main amplifier. high-gain channel selected
- Shure SM57 — cabinet microphone. close-mic'd cabinet
Tuning: Drop A
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.musicradar.com/news/guitars/slipknots-mick-thomson-and-jim-root-talk-gear-tone-and-being-flat-broke-580682
- https://www.nailthemix.com/slipknot-psychosocial-metal-mix-hall-of-fame
- https://killerrig.com/slipknot-amp-settings-and-tone-guide/