How to Dial In "Fire Above, Ice Below" by Agalloch - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Fire Above, Ice Below"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Ashes Against the Grain (2006). Ashes Against the Grain is the third album by American metal band Agalloch, released by The End Records four years after the critically acclaimed The Mantle. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Agalloch's other songs from Ashes Against the Grain, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in D standard (D G C F A D), a whole step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Fire Above, Ice Below" Tone
What guitar did Agalloch use on "Fire Above, Ice Below"?
The guitar on "Fire Above, Ice Below" (released 2006) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in D Standard (D G C F A D), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Fire Above, Ice Below" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 4, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 8. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Fire Above, Ice Below" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Fire Above, Ice Below" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Fire Above, Ice Below" by Agalloch are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.