How to Dial In "Live Forever" by Black Sabbath - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Live Forever"
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 13 (2013). 13 is a studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released on 7 June 2013 by Vertigo Records. The album's personnel list credits Tony Iommi with guitars. For this album Tony Iommi has said he played his signature Laney TI100 in the bass input with a treble booster in front, after turning down the vintage amps the producer brought in. No source we found names his guitar, so a Gibson SG Standard stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Live Forever" Tone
What guitar did Black Sabbath use on "Live Forever"?
The guitar on "Live Forever" (released 2013) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard 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 "Live Forever" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6, 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 "Live Forever" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Live Forever" 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 "Live Forever" by Black Sabbath are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.