How to Dial In "Torn to Pieces" by Death - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Torn to Pieces"
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 Scream Bloody Gore (1987). Death's debut, recorded in November 1986 at the Music Grinder in Los Angeles with producer Randy Burns and released by Combat on May 25, 1987; Chuck Schuldiner played all the guitars and bass. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson King V through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig to the one Death is documented with, stands in. Set the amp to a high-gain setting and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it a whole step down (D standard).
Common Questions About the "Torn to Pieces" Tone
What guitar did Death use on "Torn to Pieces"?
The guitar on "Torn to Pieces" (released 1987) isn't documented; the Jackson King V above gets the sound. 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 "Torn to Pieces" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8.5, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 6.5, 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 "Torn to Pieces" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Torn to Pieces" 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 "Torn to Pieces" by Death are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.