Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
Recorded at Avatar Studios in New York in February 2004, produced by Howard Benson and engineered by Mike Plotnikoff. Ray Toro (lead) and Frank Iero (rhythm) tracked their parts with Gibson Les Paul guitars; Toro used the bridge pickup for the soaring lead lines while Iero employed the neck pickup for a fuller rhythm tone, both driven into Marshall amplifiers for a tight, mid‑range‑forward sound.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Reported gear
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar
Ray Toro used a Gibson Les Paul Standard fitted with Seymour Duncan Phat Cat in the neck and JB in the bridge, delivering the aggressive lead tone heard on "Helena".
Marshall amp (likely JCM800)
Amp
Toro ran his Les Paul into a Marshall amp, most likely a JCM800 head, a staple of his rig during the Sweet Revenge sessions, providing the crunchy distortion heard on the track.
Alternatives
Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Budget alternative · for the Gibson Les Paul Standard
Marshall JCM800 reissue
Modern equivalent · for the Marshall amp (likely JCM800)
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Select the bridge pickup on a Les Paul for the lead parts to maximize bite.
- 2.Set the amp gain high enough to break up the tubes, but keep the mids forward for clarity.
- 3.Use aggressive down‑stroked rhythm with the neck pickup for a fuller, rounded tone.
- 4.Add slight palm‑muting on power chords to tighten the low end.
- 5.Double‑track rhythm guitars to thicken the overall mix.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Helena guitar tone?
The available research points to Gibson Les Paul Standard into Marshall amp (likely JCM800). The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Helena 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 Helena 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 Helena 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.
