Tone Settings for Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace (guitar and amp)

1. Volume

• Set guitar volume knob to 10 (full up) for maximum output and sustain.
• Control overall gain and dynamics via amp or pedal gain settings.

2. Tone

• Roll tone knob to about 7–8 to maintain clarity while taming harsh treble.
• Focus on a thick, mid-heavy sound with some high-end presence for definition.
• Use a high-gain amp or distortion pedal to shape a saturated, aggressive distortion with tight low-end.

3. Pickup Selector

• Set to bridge pickup for most rhythm sections to achieve a punchier and more aggressive tone.
• Use middle position for a slightly fuller tone when layering or soloing.

4. Humbucker or Single Coil Preferred?

• Humbucker pickups are preferred for their high output and noise-cancelling characteristics.
• They deliver the heavy, compressed distortion sound found in post-grunge and alt-metal genres like Three Days Grace.

5. Ideal Guitar Type (Electric – Les Paul-style)

• Les Paul-style guitars (e.g., Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul Standard) are ideal due to their thick mahogany body and set neck, which contribute to sustain and warm tone.
• Equipped with dual humbuckers and a fixed bridge for stability and heavier chugging tone.
• Prefer models with high-output pickups or consider installing aftermarket pickups like Seymour Duncan JB or EMG 81/85 for tighter distortion response.

• Gibson Les Paul Standard: Great for thick, aggressive distortion tones
• ESP LTD EC-1000: Popular among hard rock players for its high-output pickups
• Line 6 Helix: Versatile multi-effects processor with amp modeling
• Marshall JVM410H: Delivers saturated high-gain tones ideal for post-grunge
• Boss MT-2 Metal Zone: Affordable pedal for heavy distortion
• Dunlop Cry Baby Wah: Adds expressive dynamics to leads and bridges
• Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Strings (10-46): Balanced tension for drop tuning stability
• TC Electronic Flashback Delay: Useful for ambient build-ups in clean sections
• Ibanez RG Series: Fast neck and high-output pickups for aggressive rhythm and lead
• Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor: Keeps your tone tight during high gain passages

• Use high-gain distortion for rhythm guitar to capture aggressive tone.
• Set amp EQ to emphasize mids and treble for clarity and punch.
• Apply palm muting on verses for tight, chugging sound.
• Layer lead guitar parts with moderate delay and reverb during chorus.
• Use drop C tuning (C-G-C-F-A-D) for accurate pitch and heaviness.
• Compress bass guitar slightly to maintain consistent low-end presence.
• Match vocal fry and grit for an authentic post-grunge delivery.
• Keep drum mix punchy with emphasis on kick and snare attack.
• Pan rhythm guitars hard left and right for stereo width.
• EQ vocals to cut through mix, boosting presence around 4–5 kHz.