When people search for the Meshuggah guitar tone, they are looking for a specific holy grail: clarity amidst chaos. Since 1987, Swedish metal pioneers Meshuggah have utilized 8-string guitars to create a polyrhythmic, industrial landscape. However, the secret weapon behind their modern live and studio precision is their long-standing collaboration with Mike Fortin of Fortin Amplification.
In the world of high-gain guitar amplifiers, Fortin is known for "surgical" engineering. For guitarists like Fredrik Thordendal and Mårten Hagström, standard tube amps often struggle with the low-frequency output of an 8-string guitar (often tuned to low F).
To meet the demand of the modern "in-the-box" and pedalboard player, Fortin released the Meshuggah Preamp. It shrinks the circuit of the legendary 50W head into a portable format, featuring:
Originally a limited run of only 50 hand-wired units, this amplifier has become a legend in the gear community.
The Fortin 33 is perhaps the most famous "clean boost" in modern metal. It isn't just a volume boost; it is a frequency-shaping tool.
The collaboration between Meshuggah and Fortin has influenced more than just the band’s own records. It has set the industry standard for:
