Metal2013Hail to the King

Hail to the King Amp Settings

by Avenged Sevenfold

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Original Recording Settings

VerifiedResearched tone data for "Hail to the King" by Avenged Sevenfold

Original Gear

Guitar: Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S
Pickups: Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader (bridge), Sustainiac Stealth Pro (neck) (bridge)
Amplifier: Schecter Hellwin USA 100W
Channel: Channel 2 or 3 (high gain)
Tuning: Drop D
Pickup Selector: bridge
Strings: 0.010-0.052 (Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom)

By 2013, Synyster had transitioned to his signature Schecter Hellwin amplifier, a 100-watt EL34-powered head with three channels and a built-in noise gate. This amp was designed for him by James Brown at Schecter. Premier Guitar's 2013 rig rundown confirms this as his primary amp for the Hail to the King tour.

Amp Settings

Gain

7.0

Bass

5.0

Mid

6.0

Treble

7.0

Presence

6.0

Master Volume

5.0

Volume

7.0

The Premier Guitar rig rundown shows the Hellwin amp but knob positions are not clearly readable. These estimates reflect the tight, mid-heavy metal tone heard on the album. The Hellwin's three channels each have Gain, Low, Mid, High, Volume, Presence, and Resonance controls.

Effects Chain

→

Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer

compressor

→

Dunlop Cry Baby (rack-mounted)

wah

→

Visual Sound H2O Chorus & Echo

delay

→

Electro-Harmonix POG Polyphonic Octave Generator

octave

→

1.Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer — Synyster describes it as adding a natural, beefed-up quality to his tone without sounding synthetic.

2.Dunlop Cry Baby (rack-mounted) — Used via expression controllers on stage for lead sections.

3.Visual Sound H2O Chorus & Echo — Echo/delay for lead embellishments.

4.Electro-Harmonix POG Polyphonic Octave Generator — Used for specific harmony and octave effects in certain passages.

Playing Technique

More straightforward, classic-metal-inspired riffing compared to earlier A7X material. Heavy downstroke-driven rhythm parts with less technical soloing. The main riff is a simple but powerful palm-muted pattern. Synyster uses the Sustainiac neck pickup for infinite sustain during certain lead moments.

Sources+

Premier Guitar Rig Rundown: Avenged Sevenfold (2013) — detailed walkthrough of Syn's Hellwin amp, Schecter guitars, and pedalboard
Guitar Center interview — Synyster Gates discusses Boss CS-3 compressor
Equipboard.com — Synyster Gates (comprehensive gear list with citations)
Schecter Amplification official product page for Hellwin