How to Dial In "Sistinas" by Danzig - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Sistinas"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
- GuitarGibson Les Paul CustomSuggested
- AmpFender Deluxe Reverb (Blackface)Suggested
- EffectTremoloThe amp's own · On the old Fender amp's vibrato, cranked up for the big chords
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 Danzig III: How the Gods Kill (1992). Danzig III: How the Gods Kill is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Danzig, and the highest to chart at the time of its release in 1992 on Def American Recordings. John Christ says the song came together in about an hour or two during a break from tracking drums, that Glenn Danzig wanted a Roy Orbison type of vibe with some timpani and keyboards, and that they used "an old Fender amp with a vibrato on it" with the vibrato cranked up to get those really big chords. He names neither the amp model nor the guitar, so a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a Fender Deluxe Reverb (Blackface), the rig we use for Danzig's other songs on the album with the amp swapped for a vintage Fender, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, use the bridge pickup, and turn the amp's vibrato (the circuit is a tremolo) up for the chords. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Sistinas" Tone
What guitar did Danzig use on "Sistinas"?
The guitar on "Sistinas" (released 1992) 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 "Sistinas" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Sistinas" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Sistinas" 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.
What effects are on "Sistinas"?
The recording has tremolo on it. No source names the unit behind it, so this page doesn't guess one. ToneMirror maps each effect onto your rig - a pedal you own, your amp's own controls, or a block on a modeler - and says plainly when your rig can't make one.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Sistinas" by Danzig are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.