How to Dial In "At First Light" by Bolt Thrower - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "At First Light"
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 Those Once Loyal (2005). Those Once Loyal is the eighth and final studio album by British death metal band Bolt Thrower, released on 11 November 2005 by Metal Blade Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson SG Standard through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Bolt Thrower's other songs from Those Once Loyal, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in a tuning that is not one of the standard names: C♯ F♯ B E G♯ C♯, low to high.
Common Questions About the "At First Light" Tone
What guitar did Bolt Thrower use on "At First Light"?
The guitar on "At First Light" (released 2005) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Custom tuning, so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "At First Light" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 4, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 9. 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 "At First Light" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "At First Light" 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 "At First Light" by Bolt Thrower are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.