How to Dial In "How Low Can a Punk Get?" by Bad Brains - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "How Low Can a Punk Get?"
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 Rock for Light (1983). Rock for Light is the second full-length studio album by American rock band Bad Brains, released in 1983. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson SG Standard through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Bad Brains' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "How Low Can a Punk Get?" Tone
What guitar did Bad Brains use on "How Low Can a Punk Get?"?
The guitar on "How Low Can a Punk Get?" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "How Low Can a Punk Get?" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "How Low Can a Punk Get?" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "How Low Can a Punk Get?" 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 "How Low Can a Punk Get?" by Bad Brains are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.