Tone library / Deftones / Battle Axe

Battle Axe amp settings — STL Tones Amp Hub

The Deftones guitar tone for “Battle Axe”, dialed in for a STL Tones Amp Hub with a ESP LTD SC-207. Studio version, Deftones (2003 self-titled album)

Original rig

ESP 7-string guitars → ADA MP-1 preamp / Marshall JMP-1 preamp → Marshall 9200 power amp → Bogner cabs with Celestion V30/G12T-75 mix

Mid-scooped aggressive modern metal with tight percussive low end and cutting high-frequency bite
Amp settings — STL Tones Amp Hub
CHANNELMesa Rectifier model or 5150/6505 model (select the tightest high-gain amp sim available)BRIGHToffBOOSTon
GAIN 7 BASS 6 MID 3 TREBLE 7 PRESENCE 6 REVERB 0 MASTER 6
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass6
Mid3
Treble7
Presence6
Reverb0
Master6
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Noise Gate (use STL's built-in gate)

Essential for 7-string palm mutes — keeps low B string tight between riffs

Threshold 4 · Release 3

02Tube Screamer / OD808 model (RECOMMENDED — use as boost)

Place BEFORE amp block — tightens low end, adds mid presence to cut through the scoop

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 7
Why these settings

STL Amp Hub lacks the exact ADA MP-1 character, so use their tightest modern high-gain model (Rectifier or 5150 style). The mid scoop at 3 replicates Carpenter's signature sound, but the TS-style boost in front is critical — it compensates for the scoop by pushing upper mids back into the signal, preventing mud on the low B string. Your SC-207's passive humbuckers match his ESP output closely, so no gain compensation needed.

PRO TIPCarpenter picks aggressively right above the bridge pickup with the heel of his palm barely touching the strings for that percussive chunk — the tone lives in the attack dynamics, not just the amp settings.

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These settings are for a STL Tones Amp Hub. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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