How to Dial In "Road to Ruin" by Annihilator - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Road to Ruin"
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 Never, Neverland (1990). Never, Neverland is the second album by Canadian thrash metal band Annihilator, released on 7 August 1990 by Roadrunner Records. The album's personnel list credits Jeff Waters with all guitars, with Dave Scott Davis credited on guitars. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Annihilator's other songs from Never, Neverland, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Road to Ruin" Tone
What guitar did Annihilator use on "Road to Ruin"?
The guitar on "Road to Ruin" (released 1990) isn't documented; the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Road to Ruin" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 7. 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 "Road to Ruin" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Road to Ruin" 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 "Road to Ruin" by Annihilator are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.