Laid to Rest

The recording

On 'Laid to Rest' both Mark Morton and Willie Adler recorded in Drop D using a custom Jackson and a Framus Diablo respectively. Their signals were routed through a DBX 266XL rack compressor before hitting a Mesa Boogie Mark IV head. Morton's signal went to a Mesa 4×12 cabinet loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, while Adler's ran into a Framus 4×12 cabinet, preserving the tight, articulate attack that defines the track. The high‑gain Mark IV, combined with fast‑attack compression and vintage‑30 speakers, creates the razor‑sharp, percussive metal tone heard throughout.

Tuning Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E)

Reported gear

2004 Jackson Custom

Guitar

Mark Morton used a custom Jackson guitar with high‑output EMG 81/85 pickups, tuned to Drop D, for the tight, aggressive riffs on 'Laid to Rest'.

2004 Framus Diablo Custom

Guitar

Willie Adler played a Framus Diablo Custom, also in Drop D, delivering the complementary rhythm and lead textures on the track.

1990s DBX 266XL

Compressor

A DBX 266XL rack compressor was placed before the amp to even out the high‑gain attack and sustain the chugs on both guitars.

2001 Mesa Boogie Mark IV

Amp

Both guitars were driven through a Mesa Boogie Mark IV, set on a high‑gain metal channel with a tight low‑end response.

Cabinet

2000s Mesa 4x12 Celestion Vintage 30

Cabinet

Mark Morton's signal was routed to a Mesa 4×12 cabinet loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, providing the tight, articulate low‑end and focused mids.

2000s Framus 4x12

Cabinet

Willie Adler's guitar was sent to a Framus 4×12 cabinet, also fitted with vintage‑style speakers, matching the tonal character of the Mark IV rig.

Alternatives

Jackson Dinky (Modern series)

Budget alternative · for the 2004 Jackson Custom

$300 to $350

Mesa Boogie Mark IV (reissue)

Reissue · for the 2001 Mesa Boogie Mark IV

$2,200 to $2,500

Framus Frontier (Standard)

Modern equivalent · for the 2004 Framus Diablo Custom

$800 to $950

Mesa Boogie 4x12 (still in production)

Modern equivalent · for the 2000s Mesa 4x12 Celestion Vintage 30

$750 to $850

DBX 266 (current version)

Still made · for the 1990s DBX 266XL

$250 to $350

Framus 4x12 (still made)

Modern equivalent · for the 2000s Framus 4x12

$650 to $750

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Tune all strings to Drop D (D‑A‑D‑G‑B‑E).
2. 2.Palm‑mute the low D string with a tight, fast pick attack for chug‑heavy riffs.
3. 3.Set the amp gain high and roll off a bit of the bass to keep the low end tight and articulate.
4. 4.Engage a compressor to even out attack and sustain the aggressive chugs.
5. 5.Alternate between fast alternate‑picked lead runs and rhythm picking, keeping the picking hand relaxed for speed.