Rig Rundown: My Chemical Romance

Key Takeaways:

• Frank Iero’s meticulously customized guitars and amp mods shape his signature tone
• Ray Toro’s dual-amp strategy blends classic crunch and modern power
• Mikey Way’s custom basses and simple pedal setup anchor the low end
• Unified tuning strategies keep the band’s live delivery precise
• Expansive pedal racks offer an array of distortions, EQs, and effects to refine their sound

Frank Iero’s Gear Highlights

Frank Iero leads each show with a Castedosa Marianna Semi Hollow, tuned down a half step and fitted with Ernie Ball Paradigm strings (.011–.052). He also relies on matte-finished Ernie Ball StingRay guitars, tricked out with Luminlay side dots. One special 1992 Gibson Les Paul is reserved for performing “The Black Parade.” For amplifiers, Iero opted for purple Dookie-mod heads, updated by Dave Friedman for added EQ tweaks, and a Fender Twin Reverb that handles “small-amp sounds” alongside a clean DI running through a Twin Reverb Tone Master.

Iero’s backstage rack carries an array of pedals powered by Strymon Zumas. His first drawer contains a Mesa Boogie 5-Band Graphic EQ, Amaze by Analogman Prince of Tone, Bowman Audio Endeavors Bowman Overdrive, JHS Hard Drive, and a Hayashi Craft Trick Gain. The second rack is devoted to modulation effects such as the Boss TR-2 tremolo, MXR Phase 100, EarthQuaker Devices Ghost Echo, and various EHX pedals. The third is home to a Jackson Audio Twin Twelve, an EHX Deluxe Memory Man, and more overdrive units like the Ibanez Tube Screamer.

Ray Toro’s Rig Rundown

For Ray Toro, a 1978 Gibson Les Paul starts the show, strung with .011–.052-gauge strings. A second, sunburst Les Paul can make its appearance for hits like “Welcome to the Black Parade.” Toro also wields a 2005 Fender Custom Shop Telecaster for parts of the set.

A Marshall JMP head and a Metropoulos Amplification Metro feed into Fryette PS-100 units, complemented by an Amplified Nation Wonderland Overdrive combo for solos and a Fender Deluxe Reverb for cleans. His signal is spread across two 4×12 cabs—one from Marshall and another from Bad Cat. Backstage, multiple RJM Effect Gizmos organize a fleet of pedals, including drives, fuzz units, EQs, and phases. Onstage, Toro keeps an essential pedalboard featuring a TC Electronic PolyTune, an Ibanez TS808, and more Strymon gear.

Mikey Way’s Bass Arsenal

Mikey Way’s collection includes a silver-sparkle Fender Jazz bass designed to mimic his earlier signature model, plus a striking red bass and a Dodgers-blue custom creation, all strung with Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky strings (.045–.105). He partners these basses with a Fender Super Bassman head driving 8×10 cabinets, sending a DI feed to front of house for added versatility.

Way’s pedalboard is straightforward yet effective. It features an Origin Effects DCX Bass and Cali76 for boosting his Super Bassman, two Aguilar Agro pedals, an MXR Sub Octave Bass Fuzz, and a Malekko B:assmaster. This slender setup assures his rock-solid low-end presence in My Chemical Romance’s live mix.

High-Impact Stage Sound

Together, these rigs demonstrate My Chemical Romance’s dedication to curating a nuanced and powerful sonic identity. Whether it’s Iero’s intricately stacked effect drawers, Toro’s multi-amp approach, or Way’s carefully managed bass arsenal, each element contributes to the band’s full-bodied performances, ensuring that every stop on their tour reverberates with energy and precision.