Tone library / LINKIN PARK / Papercut

Papercut amp settings — Ross 25RG

The LINKIN PARK guitar tone for “Papercut”, dialed in for a Ross 25RG with a Squier Affinity Telecaster. Main riff and verse/chorus rhythm, Studio version, Hybrid Theory (2000)

Original rig

PRS Custom 24 (humbuckers, Drop C#) -> Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer -> Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Channel 3 Modern) into Mesa 4x12 cab

Tight, aggressive nu-metal rhythm with controlled low-end thump and cutting upper-mids for riff clarity
Amp settings — Ross 25RG
CHANNELOverdrive channel (Select switch engaged)
GAIN 8 BASS 6 MID 5 TREBLE 7 REVERB 0 MASTER 4
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain8
Bass6
Mid5
Treble7
Reverb0
Master4
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens low-end flub and boosts upper-mid attack into high gain

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 9
Why these settings

The Ross 25RG drive channel must carry the full nu-metal saturation since no pedals are owned, so gain is pushed to 8. Single-coil Telecaster pickups are brighter and thinner than PRS humbuckers, so keep bass at 6 to fill out the low end while keeping mids centered to preserve definition. If you add the recommended TS9 pedal later, use it as a clean boost into the drive channel with Drive at 0 and Level high to tighten the low end.

PRO TIPTune down to Drop C# (Db-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb) and use heavy, precise downpicking right above the bridge pickup to emulate the fast, mechanical palm-muted chug of the main riff.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Ross 25RG. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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