Sanctuary album cover - Evanescence
Guitar tone settings

How to Dial In "Self Destruct" by Evanescence - Guitar Tone Settings

The rig

Gear for "Self Destruct"

Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.

The settings

Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning

Amp settings

Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.

Gain7
Bass5.5
Mid5.5
Treble6
Presence6
Volume7

On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.

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Guitar setup

How the artist had their guitar configured for this take.

Pickup selector
NeckNk+MdMiddleBr+MdBridge
Guitar knobs
Tone8
Volume9
Recording notes

From Sanctuary (2026). A heavy alt-metal song with downtuned, tightly muted rhythm guitars. The rig on this recording isn't documented, so a Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 into a Mesa Boogie Tremoverb stands in. Set a medium-high crunch on the bridge pickup and keep the low end tight. Tuning isn't documented here.

FAQ

Common Questions About the "Self Destruct" Tone

  1. What guitar did Evanescence use on "Self Destruct"?

    The guitar on "Self Destruct" (released 2026) isn't documented; the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.

  2. What amp settings does "Self Destruct" need?

    Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 7. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.

  3. Can I play "Self Destruct" without the original gear?

    Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Self Destruct" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.

Related tones

Tone references for "Self Destruct" by Evanescence are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.

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