How to Dial In "Cruise Control" by Def Leppard - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Cruise Control"
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 Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (2008). Songs from the Sparkle Lounge is a studio album by the English rock band Def Leppard, released on 25 April 2008 by Island Records. The album's personnel list credits Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell with guitars. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Def Leppard's other songs from Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Cruise Control" Tone
What guitar did Def Leppard use on "Cruise Control"?
The guitar on "Cruise Control" (released 2008) isn't documented; the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Cruise Control" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, 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 "Cruise Control" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Cruise Control" 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 "Cruise Control" by Def Leppard are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.