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The recording
Recorded at NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood under producer Don Gilmore and mixed by Andy Wallace, the song features Brad Delson's Drop‑D (D A D G B E) rhythm part. Delson tracked the arpeggiated intro and chunky verses directly from a PRS Custom 24 into a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, with no effects pedals, allowing the amp’s high‑gain channel to shape the gritty tone that sits behind the mix.
Tuning Drop D (D A D G B E)
Signal chain
Original gear
2000 PRS Custom 24
Guitar
Brad Delson used a 2000 PRS Custom 24 with the bridge humbucker selected for the crunchy rhythm parts on "In the End".
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (circa 2000)
Amp
The guitar signal was fed into a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, cranked to high gain to provide the gritty distortion heard throughout the track.
Mesa Boogie 4x12 Cabinet (circa 2000)
Cabinet
The amp was miked through a Mesa Boogie 4x12 cabinet, delivering tight low‑end and aggressive mid‑range that anchors the guitar tone in the mix.
Alternatives
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Select the bridge pickup for a tight, aggressive tone.
- 2.Drop the low E string to D and use palm‑muted power chords for the verses.
- 3.Attack the strings firmly to keep the amp’s high‑gain channel responsive.
- 4.Avoid using effects pedals; let the amp’s distortion shape the sound.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the In the End guitar tone?
The available research points to 2000 PRS Custom 24 into Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (circa 2000). The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original In the End 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 In the End in?
The current research record lists Drop D (D A D G B E). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the In the End 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.
