Welcome to the Black Parade

The recording

Ray Toro tracks lead lines with a Gibson Les Paul Standard using the bridge pickup, routed through a Marshall JCM800 into a 4x12 cabinet, delivering a thick, saturated tone that sits front‑and‑center in the mix. Frank Iero records rhythm chords on a Squier Baritone tuned half‑step down, also through a Marshall JCM800, giving the song a solid low‑mid foundation. Both guitars were close‑mic'd on the cabinet with dynamic mics and blended with reverb and delay in the mix to add depth.

Tuning Half-step down (E♭) standard

Reported gear

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Guitar

Ray Toro recorded his lead parts on a Gibson Les Paul Standard equipped with a Seymour Duncan JB SH‑4 in the bridge and a Phat Cat P‑90 in the neck, providing a thick, sustaining tone for the song's soaring leads.

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Distortion Pedal

Toro added a Boss DS‑1 to push the Les Paul into a tighter, mid‑focused distortion for the rhythm sections of the track (attributed to his rig for this song).

Marshall JCM800 100W Head

Amplifier

The Les Paul's signal was run through a Marshall JCM800 100‑watt head, delivering classic British crunch and a tight low‑end that defines the song's guitar tone.

Cabinet

Marshall 4x12 Cabinet (1960 series) with Celestion G12M

Cabinet

The head was paired with a Marshall 4×12 cabinet loaded with Celestion G12M speakers, giving the tone its aggressive mids and defined low‑end.

Squier Baritone

Guitar

Frank Iero recorded the rhythm guitars on a Squier Baritone tuned half‑step down, providing a thicker low‑mid texture that complements Toro’s lead tone.

Marshall JCM800 100W Head

Amplifier

Iero’s Baritone was also routed through a Marshall JCM800 100‑watt head, matching the tonal character of Toro’s lead and ensuring a cohesive guitar sound.

Cabinet

Marshall 4x12 Cabinet (1960 series) with Celestion G12M

Cabinet

Both guitars shared the same 4×12 Marshall cabinet, contributing a unified, punchy midrange across the mix.

Alternatives

Epiphone Les Paul Standard

Budget alternative · for the Gibson Les Paul Standard

$400 to $500

Marshall 412B 4x12 Cabinet

Budget alternative · for the Marshall 4x12 Cabinet (1960 series) with Celestion G12M

$600 to $800

Boss DS-1 Distortion (reissue)

Modern equivalent · for the Boss DS-1 Distortion

$50 to $70

Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster

Modern equivalent · for the Squier Baritone

$300 to $400

Marshall DSL40CR

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall JCM800 100W Head

$500 to $600

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup on a Les Paul for maximum sustain and bite.
2. 2.Set the amp gain to a crunchy overdrive and pull back the volume for tighter rhythm tones.
3. 3.Add a subtle chorus or short delay to thicken lead lines without losing definition.
4. 4.Attack the strings firmly to keep the half‑step‑down tuning's low‑end tight and articulate.