How to Dial In "Hands Held High" by Linkin Park - Guitar Tone Settings
What Linkin Park Actually Used on "Hands Held High"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Soldano SLO-100. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Minutes to Midnight (2007). A rap-led Minutes to Midnight track over a marching snare, with brief guitar accents. Brad Delson told Guitar Player that Minutes to Midnight has no Dual Rectifier and that he mainly used a vintage Soldano, a vintage Hiwatt, a Sears amp and an AC30 for clean tones, with his PRS guitars alongside vintage Fenders and a Les Paul (via Thomann and Wikipedia). Those sources describe the album's rig, not this song, and a PRS Custom 24 through a Soldano SLO-100 stands in for it. Set the amp at a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Hands Held High" Tone
What guitar did Linkin Park use on "Hands Held High"?
Linkin Park tracked "Hands Held High" on a PRS Custom 24 (released 2007). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Hands Held High" need?
On Soldano SLO-100: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 5.5. 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.
Can I play "Hands Held High" without a Soldano SLO-100?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Hands Held High" 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.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Hands Held High" by Linkin Park are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.