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Nickelback - Burn It to the Ground - Guitar Lesson

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Nickelback - Burn It to the Ground - Guitar Lesson

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Nickelback - Burn It to the Ground guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Dark Horse album cover
Dark Horse
2008 3:32
Listen on Spotify
Nickelback Hard Rock 2008 E minor
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

Burn It to the Ground

"Burn It to the Ground" is a hard rock track by Nickelback, released as the fourth U.S. single in May 2009 from their sixth studio album Dark Horse. Known for its aggressive, driving riff and high-energy feel, the song has appeared widely in television, film, and sports promotions. For electric guitarists, it offers a straightforward but satisfying powerchord-driven style with a raw, stadium-ready tone worth studying.

  • The song was the fourth U.S. single from Nickelback's sixth studio album Dark Horse, released in May 2009.
  • Its heavy, riff-forward structure makes it a practical study piece for guitarists working on palm-muting and powerchord techniques.
  • The track gained wide exposure through sports and TV promotions, making its guitar riff instantly recognizable to many listeners.
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Chad Kroeger relies on the Les Paul Standard's thick, woody body resonance to anchor Nickelback's heavy rhythm tones in drop tunings. The guitar's sustain and natural compression complement his high-gain amp settings, delivering the saturated crunch that defines their signature sound.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Kroeger's preferred instrument, the Les Paul Custom provides the dense tonal foundation and articulate palm-muted attack essential for Nickelback's layered wall-of-guitars approach. Its figured maple top and premium construction ensure clarity even at extreme gain levels.

PRS Custom 24
Guitar

PRS Custom 24

Ryan Peake uses the PRS Custom 24's versatility and slightly brighter voicing to contrast with Kroeger's thicker tone, allowing him to cut through with cleaner passages and dynamic lead work. The guitar's balanced pickup response retains clarity in both heavy and melodic sections.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The JCM800's aggressive midrange and responsive high-gain character shaped Nickelback's classic heavy rock tone throughout their career. Its natural breakup and sustain made it a staple for driving their stadium-sized rhythms and power-chord driven arrangements.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Kroeger favors the Rectifier's modern high-gain channel for that thick, saturated rhythm crunch, running gain around 6-7 to maintain articulation in drop tunings. The amp's tight bottom end prevents flub while delivering the massive tone needed for their heavy, layered guitar arrangements.

EMG 81
Pickup

EMG 81

These high-output active pickups deliver the tight, compressed attack Kroeger needs for heavy palm-muted riffing without getting flubby in lower tunings. The EMG 81's controlled dynamics and snappy response cut through the mix on Nickelback's signature thick rhythm guitars.

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