lead guitar from “bring me to life” by evanescence | ToneDB
bring me to life
evanescence
lead guitar
Tone Profile
This tone has a modern hard rock vibe, with a saturated distortion that is thick and powerful, yet retains clarity and articulation. It’s well-suited for driving riffs and melodic lead lines.
Shop This Rig
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
The Story
The lead guitar tone on "Bring Me to Life" was reportedly achieved using a Gibson Les Paul through a Marshall JCM800 amp, captured with a Shure SM57 microphone. According to available sources, the signal was boosted with an Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer, with multiple guitar tracks layered to create the thick, saturated sound heard on the recording.
Production Credits
Producer: Dave Fortman
Engineer: Jeremy Parker
Recorded at: NRG Recording Studios, North Hollywood, CA
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson Les PaulShop on Reverb
Amp: Marshall JCM800Shop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Ibanez TS808Shop on Reverb, MXR Phase 90Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a humbucker-equipped guitar, such as a Les Paul, for a thick, warm tone.
- Use an overdrive pedal with the gain set low to mid to push the amp into saturation.
- Experiment with different microphone placements to find the sweet spot of the speaker cone.
- Double-track the guitar parts and pan them slightly to create a wider stereo image.
Original Gear
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Marshall JCM800
20-watt version of the classic JCM800 circuit that can achieve similar saturation at lower volumes, perfect for recreating that pushed amp breakup
Alternative to: Ibanez TS808
Current production Tube Screamer that provides the same mid-focused overdrive boost to push the amp into saturation
Alternative to: Gibson Les Paul
Affordable Les Paul with humbuckers that delivers the thick, warm foundation tone needed for this modern rock sound
Alternative to: Marshall JCM800 + TS808 combination
High-quality amp simulation that includes Marshall-style amps and overdrive pedals, allowing precise recreation of the layered guitar approach
Alternative to: Marshall JCM800
Combination of Boss Blues Breaker and Angry Charlie circuits that can push a clean amp into JCM800-style saturation
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!