How to Dial In "Balls of Steel" by Aynsley Lister - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Balls of Steel"
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 All or Nothing (2002). All or Nothing is a 2002 studio album by the British blues-rock guitarist Aynsley Lister. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording. Lister has said he prefers amp overdrive to pedals and favours 1970s Stratocasters, so a Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203 is the suggested rig. Set the amp to a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Lister told Guitar World he has always tuned down a half step, and published transcriptions agree: E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭).
Common Questions About the "Balls of Steel" Tone
What guitar did Aynsley Lister use on "Balls of Steel"?
The guitar on "Balls of Steel" (released 2002) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Balls of Steel" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "Balls of Steel" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Balls of Steel" 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 "Balls of Steel" by Aynsley Lister are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.