What is the dual Whammy technique?

Sean Long uses two DigiTech Whammy V pedals at once — the expression pedal on one for pitch sweeps and the momentary footswitch on the other for momentary pitch jumps. The Soundboard review specifically credits this technique on 'To the Flowers.'

What amp does Sean Long use?

Sean's go-to for riffs is a Peavey 6505. He also uses a Peavey 6534+, Marshall JVM205H, Mesa Dual Rectifier, and Victory VX100 Super Kraken in the studio.

How to get the While She Sleeps guitar tone?

Use active pickups (EMG) through a high-gain amp like a Peavey 6505. Add a Tube Screamer as a boost. Use heavy strings (12-54 minimum) and drop tuning. A Whammy pedal adds the signature pitch effects.

Metalcore2024Self Hell

To the Flowers Amp Settings

by While She Sleeps

To the Flowers from While She Sleeps' Self Hell showcases Sean Long's aggressive metalcore guitar tone — a Charvel signature loaded with EMG pickups through Peavey high-gain amps, featuring the viral dual DigiTech Whammy technique that creates 'impossible' pitch-shifted textures.

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What Makes This Tone Iconic

The dual Whammy technique is what sets this track apart. Sean Long uses two DigiTech Whammy V pedals simultaneously — expression pedal on one, tapping the momentary footswitch on the other — to create layered pitch-shifting effects that went viral during the Self Hell sessions. Combined with heavy 13-62 strings and active EMG pickups through a Peavey 6505, the tone balances crushing palm-muted riffing with expansive atmospheric lead work.

Key Tone Elements

Charvel Sean Long Signature with EMG 57 (bridge) and EMG 81 (neck)
Peavey 6505 or 6534+ for high-gain rhythm tone
Two DigiTech Whammy V pedals used simultaneously
D'Addario 13-62 baritone strings for tight low-end
Ibanez TS-9DX Tube Screamer as gain boost into amp

Original Recording Settings

partially-sourcedResearched tone data for "To the Flowers" by While She Sleeps

Original Gear

Guitar: Charvel Sean Long Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT M
Pickups: EMG 57 (bridge, hi-vis yellow cover) / EMG 81 (neck). Sean switched to EMG 57 for its 'finer gain' and more vintage-leaning character. (bridge (heavy riffs), neck (clean/melodic))
Amplifier: Peavey 6505 or Peavey 6534+ (most likely for heavy sections)
Channel: High-gain channel
Tuning: D-A-D-G-D-G (alternate/open tuning from third-party tab — LOW confidence)
Pickup Selector: bridge (heavy), neck (clean)
Strings: D'Addario EXL158 Nickel Wound Baritone Light 13–62

Sean's known studio amps: Peavey 6505 ('my go-to for riffs'), 6534+, Marshall JVM205H, Mesa Dual Rectifier, Victory VX100 Super Kraken. Specific amp not confirmed for this track. Cabinet: Marshall 1960ADM Dave Mustaine Signature. Produced by Carl Bown and Sean Long at Metropolis Studios, Treehouse Studio, and Six Audio.

Amp Settings

No settings available

Effects Chain

→

Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor

noise_gate

→

Ibanez TS-9DX Tube Screamer

overdrive

→

DigiTech Whammy V × 2 (dual Whammy pedals simultaneously)

pitch_shift

→

Boss DD-7 Digital Delay

delay

→

Strymon BigSky Reverb

reverb

→

1.Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor — Standard in Sean's signal chain.

2.Ibanez TS-9DX Tube Screamer — Used as gain boost into amp.

3.DigiTech Whammy V × 2 (dual Whammy pedals simultaneously) — Sean went viral using TWO DigiTech Whammy pedals during Self Hell sessions. The Soundboard review: 'To The Flowers' final run alone makes up for a slightly diminished quantity, a product of Sean Long's self-proclaimed double-whammy.' Strongly suggests dual Whammy is used on this track.

4.Boss DD-7 Digital Delay — Part of documented signal chain.

5.Strymon BigSky Reverb — Part of documented signal chain.

Playing Technique

Heavy, aggressive downstroke picking. Straight picking emphasized: 'That's an example of how much I love to do the straight picking' (Loudwire). Dual Whammy pedal technique — expression pedal on one Whammy, tapping momentary footswitch on second.

Sources+

Guitar World: Sean Long Charvel signature interview — studio amps confirmed.
Guitar World: Dual Whammy article — references 'To The Flowers Official Guitar Run Through'.
MusicRadar (2022): Sean Long interview — EMG pickups, tunings, playing philosophy.
Guitar.com (2019, 2022): While She Sleeps interviews — Peavey 6534+, Charvel details.
Charvel official: Sean Long Signature specs — EMG 57/81.
The Soundboard: Self Hell review — 'double-whammy' reference.
Equipboard: Sean Long community page.