How to Dial In "Black-Hearted Woman" by Blue Murder - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Black-Hearted Woman"
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 Blue Murder (1989). Their debut album, produced by Bob Rock at Little Mountain Sound in Vancouver, it was released by Geffen on 24 April 1989; guitarist John Sykes formed the band after leaving Whitesnake. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig to the one documented for Blue Murder, stands in. Set the amp to a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Black-Hearted Woman" Tone
What guitar did Blue Murder use on "Black-Hearted Woman"?
The guitar on "Black-Hearted Woman" (released 1989) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Custom above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Black-Hearted Woman" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7.5. 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 "Black-Hearted Woman" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Black-Hearted Woman" 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 "Black-Hearted Woman" by Blue Murder are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.