How to Dial In "The Pagan Winter" by Darkthrone - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Pagan Winter"
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 A Blaze in the Northern Sky (1992). A Blaze in the Northern Sky is the second studio album and the debut black metal album by the Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Darkthrone's other songs from A Blaze in the Northern Sky, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Pagan Winter" Tone
What guitar did Darkthrone use on "The Pagan Winter"?
The guitar on "The Pagan Winter" (released 1992) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The Pagan Winter" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 4.5, Mid 5, Treble 7.5, Presence 6.5, 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 "The Pagan Winter" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Pagan Winter" 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 "The Pagan Winter" by Darkthrone are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.