Korn primarily uses 7-string guitars for their music. Band members Brian “Head” Welch and James Shaffer prefer Ibanez guitars, while Jonathan Davis prefers B.C Rich guitars. During live performances, all three guitarists will use both Ibanez and B.C Rich models with the addition of 8-stringed guitars for certain songs such as ‘Word Up.’ From the 2006 release See You on the Other Side.
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Introduction to Korn’s music and guitar style
Korn’s signature sound is unmistakable, and its signature guitars are no less impressive. Since the early 1990s, Korn has been using specific guitars to create their iconic riffs and chugging rhythms. Founding members Brian Welch and James “Munky” Shaffer have always played a major role in defining the band’s musical identity and now we will take a look at what makes up their unique guitar style.
Korn gained notoriety for their distorted sounds and heavy power chords which they achieved through the use of down-tuned 7-string guitars strung with super heavy gauge strings like Ernie Ball Slinky. This allowed them to produce deep low frequencies that traditional 6-string guitars couldn’t hit, creating an entirely new sonic dimension in rock music. To achieve this sound, both Munky and Welch used Schecter C7 series guitars tuned all the way down to B standard tuning – two whole steps lower than normal E standard tuning.
In addition to down tuning, Korn often uses amplifiers with higher gain settings for those extra crunchy tones that can be heard on some of their most famous songs such as “Freak On A Leash” or “Falling Away From Me”. With high gain distortion cranked up all the way, Korn’s intense riffing style became even more powerful than ever before as they pushed boundaries with every release. Whether it was experimenting with effects pedals or playing around with alternate tunings on 9-string baritone guitar models, Korn managed to stay fresh throughout each era by continuing to evolve their sound into something new while still maintaining a recognizable identity.
James “Munky” Shaffer’s guitar setup
One of the most iconic guitar sounds in rock and metal comes from Korn guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer. His sound is so distinctive that it has influenced legions of bands and fans worldwide, making him one of the most influential heavy metal guitarists in recent years. To get his tone, Munky relies on a few tried-and-true pieces of equipment: specifically an Ibanez Universe 7 string, EMG pickups, and Line 6 POD HD500X multi-effects processor.
The Ibanez Universe 7 string features a mahogany body with flamed maple top, neck-thru construction with 24 jumbo frets on a rosewood fingerboard. The pickups are dual EMG 81/85 active humbuckers which deliver plenty of output for high gain tones while still maintaining clarity. As for effects processing, Munky uses the Line 6 POD HD500X as his main source for distortion and other effects. This allows him to craft his own unique sounds by blending different types of distortion models along with various EQ settings to create his signature tones.
To round out his rig, Munky also makes use of Dunlop Tortex picks as well as several Ernie Ball strings gauged.011-.074 for all seven strings – perfect for tight chugging rhythms or soaring solos alike. By carefully selecting these components and customizing them to suit his playing style, he is able to achieve the huge crushing yet clear sound that we all know and love from Korn’s albums throughout their career.
Brian “Head” Welch’s guitar setup
Korn’s Brian “Head” Welch is known for his heavy riffs and aggressive playing style. His guitar setup consists of both 7-string and 8-string guitars which provide a much wider range of tones than the traditional 6 string models. Head’s primary guitar has been a B.C Rich Warlock model, but he has also used Dean V and ML models in recent years. He prefers active pickups, usually EMG 81/85 sets, though he also occasionally uses Seymour Duncan Blackouts or DiMarzio D Activators. To top it off, Head utilizes an Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9 to push the signal through his Marshall JCM 800 amplifier stack with 4×12 cabinets loaded with Celestion speakers.
When it comes to Korn’s live performances, Head further enhances his sound with various stompboxes from MXR, Boss and Digitech including Chorus pedals for added depth as well as Delay and Reverb units for layering additional textures into his tone palette. In addition to these effects, Head often incorporates wah wah pedals during solos to accentuate individual notes within passages. This allows him to add character that wouldn’t otherwise be heard on recordings without post-production editing such as EQ and compression boosts. All this helps ensure that Korn’s live sound remains consistent regardless of venue size or type of equipment being used on stage – something that surely pleases their loyal fanbase.
The impact of Korn’s guitars on their sound
Korn has been pushing the boundaries of music since their early days. Their signature sound, a mix of metal and hip-hop elements, was created with the help of an array of guitars. The band’s main guitarist, Brian “Head” Welch, is known for using rare vintage models to create unique textures within the songwriting process. His guitar collection includes classic Les Pauls and Flying V’s from Gibson as well as Fender Jazzmasters and Telecasters.
These instruments are not only iconic in their own right but also provide Korn with a distinctive edge over other bands in terms of sound design. Every part of Korn’s heavy riffing style relies heavily on tonal variations that can be achieved by switching between different kinds of guitars within each song. For example, Head often uses his Telecaster to add harmonics to low-tuned riffs while using his Les Pauls for more aggressive parts like lead solos and distortion-filled breakdowns.
The different tonal possibilities provided by these instruments allow Korn to explore sonic spaces beyond the typical range associated with metalcore or nu metal genres, allowing them to stand out from the crowd with their unique take on heavy rock music. As such, it is clear that the use of varied guitar models has played a major role in establishing Korn’s distinct identity throughout their career and will likely continue to do so for many years to come.
Where to find information about Korn’s gear for fans and aspiring musicians
For those curious about what guitars Korn use, there are a variety of resources to check out. The official website for the band has detailed pages on each musician’s individual gear and instruments, including guitars. Many websites provide exclusive articles on the topic, offering in-depth insight into Korn’s rigs from past and present tours. Notable websites such as Ultimate-Guitar have featured dedicated interviews with guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer discussing his current guitar setup at great length.
Some manufacturers like Schecter Guitars even produce models based on Munky’s signature lineup. These custom designed instruments come equipped with features suitable to the band’s sound such as their Sustainiac pickup system used by both Munky and Head in their respective models. For example, Schecter C-7 FR SLS is built for heavy rock style riffing with 24 jumbo frets and an ultra thin neck profile that makes it comfortable to play.
Aspiring musicians looking to replicate Korn’s unique sound should also take note of their amp setups which includes Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier amps among other popular pieces of equipment from brands such as Marshall Amplification and Fractal Audio Systems Inc. Though expensive, these will be well worth it if you’re looking to obtain that classic Korn tone found across some of their most iconic tracks – so don’t be afraid to invest.
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