How to Dial In "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" by David Bowie - Guitar Tone Settings
What David Bowie Actually Used on "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These are the numbers on the record. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
The closing track of Ziggy Stardust, recorded on 4 February 1972 with Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey as the Spiders from Mars and co-produced by David Bowie and Ken Scott. RCA chose it as a single in April 1974. Mick Ronson's guitar in the Ziggy era was a 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom with its finish stripped. No source available here names the amp used on this session, so none is listed. Build from a clean, strummed rhythm to a driven, open chord crescendo on the bridge pickup. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" Tone
What guitar did David Bowie use on "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"?
David Bowie tracked "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" on a Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue (released 1972). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" need?
On the original amp: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" 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 "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" by David Bowie are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.