What guitar did Jim Root use on Psychosocial?

Jim Root used an Ibanez RG guitar for the lead guitar parts on "Psychosocial." Root has been a longtime user of Ibanez guitars throughout his career with Slipknot.

How to get Jim Root's tone on Psychosocial?

Use a high-output guitar through an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer into a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier on the modern high-gain channel. Close-mic the cabinet with a Shure SM57 and focus on tight, aggressive settings with controlled low end.

What amp settings for Slipknot Psychosocial tone?

On a Mesa Triple Rectifier, use the modern high-gain channel with moderate gain, scooped mids, controlled bass, and present treble. The Tube Screamer provides additional midrange focus and low-end tightening before the amp input.

Why does Jim Root use a Tube Screamer with high gain amps?

The Tube Screamer tightens the low end and boosts the midrange frequencies, preventing muddiness when using extreme gain levels. This creates the articulate, cutting tone needed for complex metal riffs and solos.

lead guitar from "psychosocial" by slipknot

psychosocial

slipknot

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

This tone is a high-gain, aggressive metal sound with a tight low end and clear, articulate highs. It's designed to cut through a mix with plenty of distortion and sustain.

Shop This Rig

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Ibanez RG(instrument)
Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer(processing)

The Story

Jim Root recorded the lead guitars for "Psychosocial" using an Ibanez RG guitar through a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier amplifier, with an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer used as a boost to tighten the low end and enhance the mids. The track was recorded at Sound Farm Studio in Jamaica, Iowa, with producer Dave Fortman, using close-mic'd cabinets captured with a Shure SM57 microphone.

Production Credits

Producer: Dave Fortman

Engineer: n/a

Recorded at: Sound Farm Studio (Jamaica, IA)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Ibanez RGShop on Reverb

Amp: Mesa Boogie Triple RectifierShop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Processing: Ibanez TS9 Tube ScreamerShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a high-output guitar like an Ibanez RG or similar.
Use a Tube Screamer to boost the signal and tighten the low end.
Select the modern, high-gain channel of a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier.
Use a Shure SM57 or similar dynamic mic to capture the sound of the cabinet.
Experiment with mic placement to find the sweet spot of the speaker.
Consider blending a DI signal with the mic'd cabinet for added clarity and definition.

Original Gear

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Ibanez RGShop on Reverb(guitar)
Mesa Boogie Triple RectifierShop on Reverb(amp)
Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)
Ibanez TS9 Tube ScreamerShop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

PRS MT 15 Mark Tremonti Signature HeadShop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier

Delivers similar high-gain aggression and tight low end response at a more affordable price point

Neural DSP Fortin Cali Suite PluginPlugin Boutique$130-$150

Alternative to: Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier

Accurately models Mesa Boogie Rectifier circuits with the tight, aggressive tone needed for modern metal

Boss SD-1 Super OverdriveShop on Reverb$50-$70

Alternative to: Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Provides similar midrange boost and low-end tightening at a budget-friendly price

Schecter Hellraiser C-1Shop on Reverb$800-$1000

Alternative to: Ibanez RG guitar

Features high-output EMG pickups and similar aggressive tone capabilities for modern metal

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$130

Alternative to: Shure SM57

Still the industry standard for recording guitar cabinets and readily available

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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lead guitar from “psychosocial” by slipknot | ToneDB