Amp Settings for Polyamorous by Breaking Benjamin (guitars and tone)

1. Volume

• Set guitar volume knob to 10 for full signal output and maximum gain response.
• Use your amp’s master volume to control overall loudness without sacrificing gain and tone saturation.
• Backing off volume slightly can reduce harshness when playing clean parts or softer verses.

2. Tone

• Set tone knob on the guitar to maximum (10) for clarity in high-gain settings.
• Dial in amp EQ with:
  • Treble: 6-7 for presence and definition.
  • Mids: 4-5 to keep a tight, aggressive punch without overpowering the mix.
  • Bass: 6-7 for a heavy low-end without getting muddy.
• Use a boost or overdrive pedal with tone control for added edge and precision if needed.

3. Pickup Selector

• Bridge pickup is preferred for rhythm sections and heavy riffing to achieve that tight, aggressive chug.
• Switch to neck pickup only for smoother, cleaner leads or solo sections—though this song mainly uses the bridge.

4. Humbucker or Single Coil Preferred?

• Humbuckers are essential for the high-gain tone with minimal noise and maximal punch.
• Active pickups like EMG 81/85 or Fishman Fluence Moderns are ideal for tight bass and sharp attack.
• Single coils are not recommended due to lack of output and potential noise under high-gain conditions.

5. Ideal Guitar Type (ESP EC-1000)

• ESP EC-1000 is ideal due to its set-neck design, enabling sustain and resonance for heavy rock tones.
• Typically comes loaded with EMG 81/60 or 81/85 pickups — perfect for Breaking Benjamin’s sound.
• Mahogany body and neck offer warmth and thickness in tone.
• Slim U neck contour allows for fast riff-based playing and comfortable handling.
• Fixed bridge adds tuning stability, especially important for drop tunings often used by the band.

• PRS Custom 24 or PRS Tremonti: Signature guitars of Ben Burnley, known for thick, aggressive tones.
• Peavey 5150 or EVH 5150III: High-gain tube amp with saturated distortion that matches Breaking Benjamin’s heavy rhythm tone.
• Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier: Alternative amp used on some early recordings for its tight low-end and heavy crunch.
• EMG 81/85 Pickups: Active pickups favored by Burnley for clarity under high gain and thick rhythm tones.
• MXR Smart Gate: Essential for cleaning up high-gain settings and keeping chugs tight.
• Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor: An alternative to the Smart Gate; helps tame feedback and hiss at high volumes.
• Ibanez TS9/TS808 Tube Screamer: Used as a boost into the amp for tighter attack during palm-muted riffing.
• Shure GLXD16 Wireless System: Known to be used live by Burnley for seamless on-stage performance without tone loss.
• ISP Decimator II: Another high-quality noise gate option for precise gating and improved sustain control.

• Maintain aggressive vocal delivery for verses and chorus
• Use moderate distortion on guitar tone with tight low-end
• Employ drop C tuning for authenticity and punch
• Keep bass guitar tone gritty but defined in the midrange
• Use dynamic shifts between clean and heavy sections
• Apply moderate compression to tighten performances
• Use short plate reverb on vocals for density without clutter
• Pan rhythm guitars wide for stereo impact
• Ensure drums are punchy with triggered kick/snare if needed
• Balance lead guitar presence with mid/treble EQ boost