How to Dial In "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" by Def Leppard - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Bringin' On the Heartbreak"
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.
Steve Clark and Pete Willis on guitars — this predates Phil Collen joining — and it is the first Def Leppard song Mutt Lange produced into something like the layered sound the band became known for, though far less extreme than Pyromania or Hysteria. The song is a slow build with a clean, arpeggiated intro and a heavy chorus, so build one setting you can roll back rather than two patches. Standard tuning. Recorded 1981. Keep the gain moderate and let the chords ring: at this stage the guitars are still recorded as performances rather than assembled from fragments, so it is closer to a normal rock record than the later albums and does not need the same extreme doubling.
Common Questions About the "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" Tone
What guitar did Def Leppard use on "Bringin' On the Heartbreak"?
Def Leppard tracked "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" on a Les Paul (released 1981). The Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" need?
On Marshall JCM800 2203: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" 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 "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" 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 "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" by Def Leppard are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.