George Boyle
Achieving the signature guitar tone of Pierce the Veil requires a blend of specific gear, techniques, and settings that capture their dynamic and melodic sound. Known for their blend of post-hardcore, emo, and pop-punk, the band’s guitarists, primarily Vic Fuentes and Tony Perry, rely on a combination of high-gain amplifiers, versatile pedals, and precise playing styles to create their iconic tone. Key elements include using Mesa/Boogie amplifiers, particularly the Dual Rectifier or Mark series, paired with guitars like Gibson Les Pauls or Schecter models equipped with Seymour Duncan pickups. Essential pedals such as overdrive, distortion, and modulation effects help shape their sound, while techniques like palm muting, alternate picking, and intricate tapping add depth and texture. Understanding their gear choices, signal chain, and playing approach is crucial for replicating the piercing yet melodic tone that defines Pierce the Veil’s music.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Guitar Model | Primarily uses Fender Stratocaster or similar HSS (Humbucker-Single-Single) configuration |
| Pickups | Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge) and single-coil pickups (neck/middle) |
| Amplifier | Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier or Mark series for high-gain tones |
| Cabinet | Mesa 4x12 cabinet with Celestion V30 speakers |
| Effects Pedals | Boss SD-1 (overdrive), TC Electronic Hall of Fame (reverb), MXR M108 EQ |
| Strings | Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010-.046) |
| Tuning | Standard E (EADGBE) or Drop D (DADGBE) |
| Pick | Dunlop Tortex Standard .73mm |
| Playing Style | Alternate picking, fast legato, and aggressive strumming |
| Tone Settings | High gain, scooped mids, emphasized highs and lows |
| Recording Techniques | Double tracking, DI for clarity, and amp miking with SM57 |
| Inspirations | Influenced by post-hardcore, emo, and metal genres |
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What You'll Learn
- Amp Settings: High gain, bright EQ, tight bass, mid-range boost, presence for clarity
- Guitar Choice: Use a Strat or Tele with humbuckers for versatility
- Pedal Chain: Overdrive, noise gate, delay, reverb, and EQ for shaping tone
- Picking Technique: Alternate picking, palm muting, and aggressive strumming for rhythm
- String Gauge: Medium or heavy strings for tighter low-end and sustain
Amp Settings: High gain, bright EQ, tight bass, mid-range boost, presence for clarity
Achieving the signature Pierce the Veil guitar tone requires a meticulous approach to amp settings, blending aggression with clarity. Start with high gain to capture the band’s heavy, distorted sound, but avoid overloading it—aim for a gain level around 7-8 on a 10-point scale. This provides enough saturation for riffs and solos without muddiness. Pair this with a bright EQ to cut through the mix, emphasizing the treble frequencies (set the treble knob around 6-7) while maintaining definition in fast passages.
Next, focus on the tight bass setting to prevent the low end from overwhelming the tone. Keep the bass knob at 4-5 to ensure the guitar remains punchy without becoming boomy. This is crucial for rhythm parts that need to sit cleanly alongside the bass guitar. A mid-range boost is essential for the vocal-like quality in Pierce the Veil’s leads. Push the mids to 7-8 to add warmth and presence, ensuring the guitar doesn’t get lost in dense arrangements.
Finally, dial in presence for clarity, especially in high-gain settings. Set the presence knob around 5-6 to enhance high-frequency harmonics without introducing harshness. This adds a shimmering edge to the tone, ideal for the band’s melodic and technical passages. Experiment with these settings in context—play along with tracks like “King for a Day” or “Bulls in the Bronx” to fine-tune the balance between aggression and articulation.
A practical tip: use a noise gate to control unwanted feedback when using high gain, and consider a cab simulator if playing through a direct interface. These adjustments, when combined, create a tone that’s both aggressive and articulate, capturing the essence of Pierce the Veil’s guitar sound.
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Guitar Choice: Use a Strat or Tele with humbuckers for versatility
Achieving the signature Pierce the Veil guitar tone requires a blend of clarity, aggression, and versatility. A Stratocaster or Telecaster equipped with humbuckers emerges as a prime choice for this task. These guitars, traditionally known for their single-coil pickups, gain a new dimension when fitted with humbuckers, offering the best of both worlds: the bright, chimey character of their classic designs and the thicker, higher-output sound needed for modern rock and metal.
Consider the tonal demands of Pierce the Veil’s music. Their riffs often alternate between clean, shimmering passages and distorted, rhythm-heavy sections. A Strat or Tele with humbuckers excels here. The humbuckers provide the necessary midrange punch and sustain for distorted tones, while the guitar’s inherent body and neck characteristics retain the clarity and articulation required for cleaner parts. For instance, a Strat’s alder body and maple neck deliver a snappy attack, while a Tele’s ash body adds a slightly warmer, more rounded tone.
When selecting a humbucker-equipped Strat or Tele, prioritize pickups with a balanced output. Aim for a DC resistance of around 8-10kΩ for the neck pickup and 12-14kΩ for the bridge, ensuring versatility across genres. Brands like Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, and EMG offer models specifically designed for this application. Pair these with a 5-way pickup selector switch to access a wide range of tones, from vintage-inspired cleans to modern, high-gain distortion.
One practical tip: experiment with coil-splitting or series/parallel wiring options. This allows you to tap into single-coil-like tones, further expanding the guitar’s versatility. For example, splitting the humbucker in a Tele’s bridge position can yield a twangy, Tele-esque sound ideal for cleaner, more dynamic passages. Conversely, engaging both coils in a Strat’s neck position provides a thick, vocal quality perfect for lead lines.
In conclusion, a Stratocaster or Telecaster with humbuckers is a strategic choice for replicating Pierce the Veil’s guitar tone. It combines the iconic characteristics of these guitars with the power and flexibility required for contemporary rock. By carefully selecting pickups and exploring wiring options, you can craft a tone that seamlessly transitions between the band’s diverse sonic landscapes.
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Pedal Chain: Overdrive, noise gate, delay, reverb, and EQ for shaping tone
Achieving the signature Pierce the Veil guitar tone requires a thoughtful pedal chain that balances clarity, aggression, and atmospheric depth. Start with an overdrive pedal as the foundation, opting for a medium-gain option like the Ibanez Tube Screamer or a Klon Centaur clone. Set the drive around 12 o’clock to add grit without overwhelming the signal, and adjust the tone control to retain midrange presence—essential for cutting through dense mixes. This stage defines the raw character of your tone, so experiment with different overdrive pedals to find one that complements your pickups and amp.
Next, place a noise gate immediately after the overdrive to tame any unwanted hiss or hum, especially when using high-gain settings. A Boss NS-2 or ISP Decimator works well here. Set the threshold just high enough to silence noise during pauses but low enough to avoid cutting off sustain. This ensures your tone remains tight and professional, particularly in the fast, palm-muted passages characteristic of Pierce the Veil’s style.
Delay and reverb pedals are crucial for adding the expansive, layered sound that defines Pierce the Veil’s guitar work. Position a digital delay pedal (like the TC Electronic Flashback) after the noise gate, using short, subtle repeats (around 150–250ms) with low feedback to create a sense of space without muddying the rhythm. Follow this with a hall or plate reverb (such as the Strymon BlueSky) set to a low mix (20–30%) to add depth without washing out the tone. This combination mimics the band’s ability to blend aggression with atmospheric textures.
Finally, an EQ pedal placed at the end of the chain (or in the effects loop of your amp) allows for precise tone shaping. Use a graphic EQ like the MXR 10-band to carve out frequencies that clash with the mix. For instance, a slight cut at 500Hz can reduce boxiness, while a boost around 2.5kHz adds clarity and bite. This step ensures your tone sits perfectly in the mix, whether you’re playing clean arpeggios or distorted riffs.
In summary, a well-ordered pedal chain—overdrive for grit, noise gate for cleanliness, delay and reverb for ambiance, and EQ for refinement—is key to capturing Pierce the Veil’s dynamic guitar tone. Each pedal serves a specific purpose, and their interaction creates a sound that’s both aggressive and ethereal. Experiment with settings and pedal choices to tailor the tone to your playing style and gear, but always prioritize clarity and balance.
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Picking Technique: Alternate picking, palm muting, and aggressive strumming for rhythm
To capture the essence of Pierce the Veil's guitar tone, mastering specific picking techniques is crucial. Alternate picking, palm muting, and aggressive strumming form the backbone of their rhythm guitar style, blending precision with raw energy. Each technique serves a distinct purpose, contributing to the band’s signature sound—a mix of technical finesse and punk-inspired aggression. Let’s break down how to execute these techniques effectively.
Alternate picking is the foundation of Pierce the Veil’s fast, articulate passages. This technique involves strictly alternating downstrokes and upstrokes, ensuring clarity even at high speeds. For example, in songs like "Bulls in the Bronx," the rapid, staccato riffs demand consistent alternate picking. Practice this by setting a metronome at 80 BPM and playing eighth notes, gradually increasing speed. Focus on keeping your picking hand relaxed and your motions economical. A common mistake is tensing up, which leads to fatigue and imprecision. Aim for 10–15 minutes of dedicated alternate picking drills daily to build muscle memory.
While alternate picking provides clarity, palm muting adds tightness and control to rhythm parts. This technique involves resting the palm of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge, reducing sustain and creating a chugging, percussive sound. Pierce the Veil often uses palm muting in verses and breakdowns to maintain rhythm without overwhelming the mix. Experiment with varying degrees of pressure: lighter muting for a more open sound, heavier for a tighter, more aggressive feel. Songs like "King for a Day" showcase how palm muting can drive the rhythm while leaving room for melodic elements. Practice by playing power chords with a muted and unmuted contrast to hear the difference.
Aggressive strumming is where Pierce the Veil’s punk influence shines. This technique involves wide, forceful downstrokes that emphasize the rhythm’s impact. Unlike traditional strumming, which focuses on fluidity, aggressive strumming prioritizes power and intensity. Use a pick with medium thickness (0.73–0.88 mm) for durability and control. In songs like "The Divine Zero," the rhythm guitar’s raw energy comes from hard downstrokes on the beat, often paired with palm muting for added tightness. To avoid string skipping, keep your elbow slightly elevated and strike the strings with the pick’s tip. Start slow, focusing on accuracy, then gradually increase speed while maintaining dynamics.
Combining these techniques requires balance. Alternate picking ensures clarity, palm muting provides control, and aggressive strumming delivers impact. For instance, in a typical Pierce the Veil progression, you might alternate pick a fast arpeggio, palm mute a chugging riff, and then transition into aggressive strumming for the chorus. The key is to practice transitions between techniques smoothly. Record yourself playing along to their songs to identify areas for improvement. Over time, these techniques will become second nature, allowing you to replicate their tone authentically.
In conclusion, mastering alternate picking, palm muting, and aggressive strumming is essential for achieving Pierce the Veil’s guitar tone. Each technique plays a unique role, and combining them effectively requires deliberate practice. Focus on precision, control, and intensity, and don’t be afraid to experiment with dynamics. With consistent effort, you’ll not only replicate their sound but also develop a versatile skill set applicable to various genres.
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String Gauge: Medium or heavy strings for tighter low-end and sustain
Choosing the right string gauge is pivotal for achieving the tight, defined low-end and sustained notes characteristic of Pierce the Veil’s guitar tone. Medium or heavy strings, typically ranging from .011 to .059 for heavy sets, provide the necessary tension to enhance both clarity and sustain in lower tunings. This tension ensures that notes remain articulate even under aggressive playing styles, a hallmark of the band’s sound. For guitarists aiming to replicate this tone, starting with a .011-.052 medium set is a safe entry point, offering a balance between playability and tonal depth.
The physics behind string gauge and tone is straightforward: thicker strings vibrate slower, producing a fuller, tighter low-end response. This is particularly beneficial for drop tunings like D or C, which Pierce the Veil frequently employs. Heavy strings also improve sustain by maintaining consistent tension across the fretboard, allowing notes to ring out longer without losing definition. However, this comes at the cost of increased finger fatigue, so players should gradually build strength if transitioning from lighter gauges.
Practical implementation requires adjusting your guitar setup to accommodate heavier strings. A higher action (the distance between the strings and the fretboard) is often necessary to prevent buzzing, especially on lower frets. Truss rod adjustments may also be needed to counteract the added tension and maintain proper neck relief. For those using floating tremolo systems, heavier strings can stabilize tuning better but may require recalibrating the spring tension.
A comparative analysis reveals that while light strings offer ease of play and bending, they fall short in delivering the robust low-end and sustain needed for Pierce the Veil’s style. Medium strings strike a middle ground, suitable for both rhythm and lead work, while heavy strings are ideal for rhythm guitarists prioritizing depth and sustain over bending flexibility. Experimenting with hybrid sets, such as .011-.056, can offer a compromise, providing tighter lows without excessive tension.
Ultimately, the choice between medium and heavy strings depends on your playing style and physical comfort. For guitarists dedicated to replicating Pierce the Veil’s tone, starting with medium strings and gradually transitioning to heavy sets is a practical approach. Pairing heavier strings with a high-output humbucker pickup and a tube amplifier will further enhance the tight, sustained sound the band is known for. Remember, the goal is not just to mimic the gear but to understand how each component contributes to the overall tone.
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Frequently asked questions
Pierce the Veil primarily uses guitars like the Fender Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul, and Schecter models, often with humbucker pickups for a thick, versatile tone.
Key pedals include a distortion or overdrive (e.g., Boss MT-2 or Ibanez Tube Screamer), a chorus (e.g., Boss CE-2), and a delay (e.g., TC Electronic Flashback) to replicate their dynamic and textured sound.
Use a tube amp like a Mesa Boogie or Marshall with high gain, moderate mids, and a balanced bass and treble. Add reverb for depth and presence.
Many Pierce the Veil songs use drop D or standard tuning, but some tracks may require lower tunings like drop C or D standard for heavier riffs.
Pickups play a crucial role; humbuckers are ideal for their high-gain, thick sound. Active pickups (e.g., EMGs) can also help achieve clarity and sustain in their tone.
