How to Dial In "Forward to Death" by Dead Kennedys - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Forward to Death"
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 Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980). Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is the debut studio album by the American punk rock band Dead Kennedys. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Dead Kennedys' other songs from Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Forward to Death" Tone
What guitar did Dead Kennedys use on "Forward to Death"?
The guitar on "Forward to Death" (released 1980) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Forward to Death" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, 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 "Forward to Death" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Forward to Death" 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 "Forward to Death" by Dead Kennedys are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.