How to Dial In "Not Ready to Die" by Demon Hunter - Guitar Tone Settings
What Demon Hunter Actually Used on "Not Ready to Die"
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 Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Summer of Darkness rather than the later True Defiance — this is the record that made Demon Hunter a fixture of 2000s Christian metal. Ryan Clark's band sits between metalcore and straight groove metal, and the riff here is slow, heavy and deliberately unhurried. Thick low-mids and a moderate gain setting suit it better than a modern scooped tone.
Common Questions About the "Not Ready to Die" Tone
What guitar did Demon Hunter use on "Not Ready to Die"?
Demon Hunter tracked "Not Ready to Die" on an ESP LTD EC-1000 (released 2004). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop C (C G C F A D), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Not Ready to Die" need?
On Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier: Gain 7, Bass 6.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 6. 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 "Not Ready to Die" without a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Not Ready to Die" 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 "Not Ready to Die"?
The original signal chain for "Not Ready to Die" runs through Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor. 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 "Not Ready to Die" by Demon Hunter are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.