How to Dial In "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" by Beastie Boys - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun"
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 Paul's Boutique (1989). Paul's Boutique is the second album by the American hip-hop group the Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989, by Capitol Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Beastie Boys' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" Tone
What guitar did Beastie Boys use on "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun"?
The guitar on "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" (released 1989) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, 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 "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" 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 "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" by Beastie Boys are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.