How to Dial In "General Hospital" by Alcatrazz - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "General Hospital"
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 No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll (1983). Their debut album, produced by Dennis Mackay and recorded at Rocshire Studios in Anaheim and Skyline Studios in Topanga, California, it was released in October 1983 and launched Yngwie Malmsteen's solo career. Yngwie Malmsteen, who played guitar on this album, is tied to scalloped-fingerboard Fender Stratocasters and Marshall amplifiers, but no source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue stands in. Set the amp to a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "General Hospital" Tone
What guitar did Alcatrazz use on "General Hospital"?
The guitar on "General Hospital" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "General Hospital" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 7.5. 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 "General Hospital" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "General Hospital" 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 "General Hospital" by Alcatrazz are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.