Burden amp settings — Headrush Prime
The Opeth guitar tone for “Burden”, dialed in for a Headrush Prime with a PRS McCarty 594. Studio version, Watershed (2008) — iconic melodic outro guitar solo
PRS Custom 24 / Singlecut into Marshall JVM410H / Laney VH100R, TS-style boost, Uni-Vibe, analog delay, and studio plate reverb
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 7 |
01Screamer (Headrush Block)
Used as a clean mid-focus boost in front of the amp block
02Vibe (Headrush Block)
Replicates the subtle vibe modulation Fredrik Åkesson uses on Burden's lead lines
03Tape Delay (Headrush FX Loop Block)
FX loop — set to ~420ms dotted eighth or quarter note for soaring trails
04Plate Reverb (Headrush FX Loop Block)
FX loop — provides spacious studio depth
The PRS McCarty 594's vintage-voiced 58/15 LT humbuckers are slightly lower in output and warmer than modern ceramic PRS pickups, so the Screamer block tightens the low-end and pushes the JVM410 model into smooth saturation. The Boss MT-2W is left bypassed because Opeth's signature lead tone comes from cascading British Marshall preamp gain rather than sharp pedal distortion. Setting the guitar tone knob to 8 rounds off harsh top-end transients for that singing Mikael/Fredrik sustain.
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These settings are for a Headrush Prime. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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