How to Dial In "The Empire Strikes First" by Bad Religion - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Empire Strikes First"
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 The Empire Strikes First (2004). The Empire Strikes First is the thirteenth studio album by American punk rock band Bad Religion, released on June 8, 2004. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Bad Religion's other songs from The Empire Strikes First, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Empire Strikes First" Tone
What guitar did Bad Religion use on "The Empire Strikes First"?
The guitar on "The Empire Strikes First" (released 2004) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II 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 "The Empire Strikes First" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, 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 "The Empire Strikes First" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Empire Strikes First" 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 Empire Strikes First" by Bad Religion are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.