Tone library / Slipknot / Psychosocial

Psychosocial amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

The Slipknot guitar tone for “Psychosocial”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 MkII with a Squier Bullet Stratocaster. Studio version, All Hope Is Gone (2008)

Original rig

Jim Root: Fender Jim Root Stratocaster → Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 7). Mick Thomson: Ibanez MTM1 → Marshall JCM800 2203 with Maxon OD808 boost in front. Drop B tuning (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#).

Tight, crushing modern metal rhythm with scooped-but-present mids, aggressive pick attack, and massive low-end despite the scoop — articulate enough to keep the low B defined
Amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII
CHANNELBrownBRIGHToffBOOSToff
GAIN 8 BASS 5 MID 4 TREBLE 6 PRESENCE 6 REVERB 0
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain8
Bass5
Mid4
Treble6
Presence6
Reverb0
Don’t have a Boss Katana 50 MkII? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →
Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Why these settings

The Katana's Brown channel emulates the tight saturation of a modded Marshall, which sits between the original Dual Rectifier and JCM800 blend. Dropped mid from 5 to 4 because the Katana Brown voice is already mid-forward compared to a scooped Rectifier. Pulled treble from 7 to 6 and presence from 7 to 6 — the Squier's ceramic single-coil bridge pickup is brighter and thinner than Root's EMG-equipped humbucker Strat, so less high-end compensation is needed. Bass dropped to 5 to keep the low B articulate through a 12-inch speaker; the original's 4x12 handled more low-end mass.

PRO TIPThis tone lives or dies on your picking hand — palm mute hard and close to the bridge with a thick pick (1mm+) angled steeply to get that percussive chunk on the low B. The single-coil will never match the compressed sustain of an EMG 81, but aggressive attack will get you the aggression.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play
More tones for the Boss Katana 50 MkII
You should probably leaveChris StapletonI got betterMorgan WallenMemory sure don't mess aroundJordan DavisGoosePolyphiaStairway to Heaven (Live)Led ZeppelinDead Girl WalkingCarrie Hope Fletcher & Jamie Muscato
Find your amp
Browse
Boss Katana 50 MkII settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Psychosocial on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Slipknot tonesALL SONGS Slipknot on the Boss Katana 50 MkIISAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Squier Bullet Stratocaster tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.

Get ToneAdapt — first match free