How to Dial In "The Truth About Heaven" by Armor for Sleep - Guitar Tone Settings
What Armor for Sleep Actually Used on "The Truth About Heaven"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From What to Do When You Are Dead (2005). What to Do When You Are Dead is the second studio album by American rock band Armor for Sleep. The album's Wikipedia article, quoting guitarist PJ Decicco, says a Gibson Les Paul Custom was used for the main rhythm tracking, with a Fender Telecaster Thinline and a Telecaster Deluxe alongside it, that Bogner Ecstasy and Marshall JCM800 amplifiers were used for most of the rhythm sections (an Orange occasionally for octave parts), that every song on the album is in drop D, and that he used a Line 6 Delay Modeler and Big Muff units. It does not say which of these each song used, so the Les Paul Custom through a JCM800 is the album-level rig and the knob positions are our estimate. The article adds that the single-note line that opens the first verse was recorded as an overdub with a separate guitar. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "The Truth About Heaven" Tone
What guitar did Armor for Sleep use on "The Truth About Heaven"?
Armor for Sleep tracked "The Truth About Heaven" on a Gibson Les Paul Custom (released 2005). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop D (D A D G B E), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "The Truth About Heaven" need?
On Marshall JCM800 2203: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "The Truth About Heaven" without a Marshall JCM800 2203?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Truth About Heaven" 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 "The Truth About Heaven" by Armor for Sleep are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.