Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
DeLonge tracked the rhythm parts using a bridge-position humbucker on a white Fender Stratocaster, driving a Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier directly into a Marshall 4x12 cabinet. The tone is characterized by a tight, percussive attack, high‑gain saturation with scooped mids, and a bright top‑end that cuts through the dense pop‑punk mix. Produced by Jerry Finn, the guitars were recorded with a close‑mic'd cabinet and minimal effects, preserving the raw, aggressive sound.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Reported gear
1999 Fender Stratocaster (Tom DeLonge Signature)
Guitar
Tom DeLonge recorded the rhythm parts on his 1999 Tom DeLonge Signature Fender Stratocaster, fitted with a Seymour Duncan Invader bridge humbucker, delivering a bright, high‑output tone that cut through the mix.
Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (studio recording, 1999)
Amp
The signal was sent straight into a Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier head, cranked to high gain, providing the saturated, tight crunch that defines the song's main riff.
Marshall 4x12 Cabinet
Cabinet
A Marshall 4x12 cabinet was used to project the amp’s high‑gain tone, adding mid‑range punch and aggressive speaker breakup.
Alternatives
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster
Budget alternative · for the 1999 Fender Stratocaster (Tom DeLonge Signature)
Marshall 4x12 Cabinet (used)
Budget alternative · for the Marshall 4x12 Cabinet
Marshall DSL40CR
Modern equivalent · for the Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (studio recording, 1999)
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Select the bridge pickup and set the guitar tone knob full open for maximum brightness.
- 2.Crank the amp gain and keep the volume at a level that drives the speaker for tight low‑end response.
- 3.Use a heavy gauge pick (0.88‑1.0 mm) and strike the strings with a firm downstroke to emphasize the percussive attack.
- 4.Palm‑mute the power chords slightly between changes to retain the song’s choppy rhythm.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the All the Small Things guitar tone?
The available research points to 1999 Fender Stratocaster (Tom DeLonge Signature) into Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (studio recording, 1999). The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original All the Small Things amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is All the Small Things in?
The current research record lists Standard (E A D G B E). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the All the Small Things tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
