🎸 Rock · 2000s

Numb by LINKIN PARK (Riff · Distorted) — Guitar Tone

by LINKIN PARK · riff

The Numb by LINKIN PARK guitar tone is built on a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, dialed in at gain 8/10, bass 6, mid 4.5, treble 6.5, presence 6 (community-researched baseline). Full breakdown below — then adapt every knob to your exact guitar and amp, free.

🎛️ These settings are for the original rig — re-dial them for YOUR amp in 10 seconds. Free, no signup →

Amp settings (0–10)

GAIN

BASS

4.5

MID

6.5

TREBLE

PRESENCE

REVERB

Community-researched baseline. Your rig is different — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials every knob for your specific guitar, amp and pickups.

How these settings compare

Measured against the 540 rock tones in our researched catalog: Gain 8 sits well above the rock average (4.8) — a hotter, more saturated take than most rock tones; mids at 4.5 are below average (6.2) — a real scoop; it sounds huge alone but can vanish in a band mix.

Guitar controls

VOLUME

8-9

TONE

Original gear

Guitar: PRS Custom 24 (likely 2001-2002 model, used by Brad Delson in studio for 'Numb') · Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording amp for 'Numb')

Studio recording, 2002-2003 era. Brad Delson is known to have used a PRS Custom 24 with humbuckers and a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for the 'Meteora' album sessions, which includes 'Numb'. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate guitars/amps for the riff section. No evidence of additional preamp or boost pedals in the main riff section.

Gear used on this tone

🎚️ Mesa/Boogie songs & tones →🎚️ humbucker guitars songs & tones →🎚️ Mesa Dual Rectifier songs & tones →🎚️ PRS Custom 24 songs & tones →

Don’t own this gear? GuitarToneAdapt re-creates the sound on the rig you actually have.

Pickups

Bridge pickup (PRS HFS Treble humbucker)

Signal chain

PRS Custom 24 (likely 2001-2002 model, used by Brad Delson in studio for 'Numb') → Noise Gate (model unknown) → Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording amp for 'Numb')

Effects

noise_gate, reverb

Amp effects: Reverb (digital, level 2)

Tone character

tight and percussive, modern high-gain saturation, articulate and clear, aggressive palm muting, slightly scooped mids, chunky low end, compressed attack, minimal ambience, studio-polished, focused and dry

Recording context

studio

How it’s played

straight, medium tempo, aggressive dynamics · high-gain distortion. This shapes how hard the amp is pushed and where the EQ sits for the Numb sound.

Difficulty

2.5/5 · Riff

The riff is rhythmically tight and requires accurate palm muting and syncopation, but uses simple power chords and moderate tempo, making it accessible to most players with some experience.

Worth knowing

No direct source in search results specifies exact amp or pedal settings for 'Numb' riff; settings are estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier usage in early 2000s nu-metal/alt-rock.
No explicit confirmation of pedal use for the riff section; effects chain is inferred from audio and known studio practices.
No evidence of modulation (chorus/flanger/phaser) or time-based effects (delay) on the riff section; tone is dry and focused.
Guitar and amp model inferred from multiple interviews and studio photos from the 'Meteora' era, but not directly cited in provided sources.
Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Numb' riff uses a very saturated, tight, and modern high-gain tone typical of Linkin Park's nu-metal era, likely achieved with a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (or similar) with scooped mids, tight bass, and clear but not harsh treble/presence. The production is extremely dry with little to no reverb, matching the punchy, processed sound of early 2000s nu-metal.

⚡ Same tone, YOUR gear — re-dials the gain & EQ for your amp and pickups, free →

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Numb guitar tone — FAQ

What amp settings do I need for the Numb guitar tone?

Set your amp to roughly: gain 8, bass 6, mid 4.5, treble 6.5, presence 6, reverb 1. These are community-researched baselines — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials them for your exact guitar and amp.

What gear was used for the Numb tone?

Original gear/effects: Guitar: PRS Custom 24 (likely 2001-2002 model, used by Brad Delson in studio for 'Numb') · Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording amp for 'Numb'); noise_gate, reverb.

Can I get the Numb tone on a different guitar or amp?

Yes. Different guitars and amps need different knob positions to sound the same. GuitarToneAdapt models pickup output and wood brightness, then compensates so you match the record on your own rig.

How do I sound like LINKIN PARK on Numb — what gear and pedals?

Start with Bridge pickup (PRS HFS Treble humbucker), the amp EQ above (gain 8, bass 6, mid 4.5, treble 6.5, presence 6, reverb 1), and noise_gate, reverb. Then let GuitarToneAdapt compensate for the guitar, amp and pedals you actually own so it sits like the record.

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Sources

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More like this

🎸 How to get LINKIN PARK’s guitar tone → · 🎸 more Rock guitar tones → · 🎚️ Mesa Dual Rectifier settings → · 🎛️ best rock amp settings → · 🎸 more iconic guitar riffs → · 🎯 more scooped mids tones → · 📖 New to amp settings? What every knob does →

Settings are community-researched estimates, not official. GuitarToneAdapt adapts them to your gear. guitartoneadapt.com