Linkin Park's new vocalist led Mike Shinoda to switch his guitars in a sudden change
In the wake of the tragic loss of Chester Bennington, Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda sought out a unique collaboration to bring the band back to life. The silver-finished Baritone Telecaster, a guitar Shinoda had at home, became the instrument of choice for this new chapter.
Shinoda turned to Emily Armstrong, vocalist of the band Dead Sara, to lend her voice to the reformed Linkin Park. Armstrong's higher register required Shinoda to adjust the tuning of his guitar, moving down from his typical drop D to drop A for the new songs. This fairly significant drop created a distinctive sound, one that became the signature of songs like Heavy is the Crown.
Shinoda's playing style, marked by pulling the neck of the guitar up to reach higher notes and playing very flat fingered due to physical limitations, presented new challenges. However, the guitarist found innovative ways to create unique effects and sounds with his limited playing abilities.
Meanwhile, Brad Delson, another founding member of Linkin Park, has stepped back from touring but is still playing a key role behind the scenes. It remains uncertain if Delson will ever return to the stage.
The Baritone Telecaster, with its HSS pickup configuration and stretched 27" neck (as seen on Fender's T-type baritone guitars), became a significant part of the new Linkin Park sound.
Interestingly, Shinoda's daughter was unaware of her father's day job until she saw a video of them headlining Rock in Rio. Growing up, Shinoda was a fan of Rage Against the Machine, one of his favourite modern rock bands.
This collaboration between Shinoda and Armstrong has brought a fresh, authentic feel to Linkin Park's classic hits, avoiding the uncanny comparison concerns that often arise when bands attempt to replace a lost member. The future of Linkin Park continues to evolve, with Shinoda and Armstrong leading the way.
