How to Dial In "Symbolic" by Death - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Symbolic"
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 numbers are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
D standard — a whole step down, not a dropped tuning. Chuck Schuldiner is generally credited with inventing death metal and then, on this album, with taking it somewhere melodic and progressive: the riffs are harmonically sophisticated, the solos are composed rather than shredded, and Bobby Koelble's jazz background shows in the lead trading. Recorded 1994-95 with Jim Morris at Morrisound in Tampa. Keep the gain lower than the genre implies and the mids present: the whole point of late Death is that you can hear the harmony, and a scooped, saturated tone erases the chord movement the songs are built on.
Common Questions About the "Symbolic" Tone
What guitar did Death use on "Symbolic"?
Death recorded "Symbolic" (released 1995) before the ESP LTD EC-1000 came out; it is named above as a modern equivalent. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in D Standard (D G C F A D), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Symbolic" need?
On Marshall JCM800 2203: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "Symbolic" without a Marshall JCM800 2203?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Symbolic" 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 pedals are on "Symbolic"?
The original signal chain for "Symbolic" runs through Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-9. Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Symbolic" by Death are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.