How to Dial In "Behind the Wheel" by Depeche Mode - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Behind the Wheel"
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 Music for the Masses (1987). A sleek, synth-driven song whose menacing guitar riff is panned wide across the mix. Equipboard has Martin Gore touring with a custom copy of a Gretsch Double Anniversary built by Dick Knight, and one fan wiki notes his guitar bounces from speaker to speaker on Behind the Wheel. The rig on this recording isn't documented, so a Gretsch G6118T Anniversary into a Vox AC30 C2 stands in. Set a light-to-medium crunch on the bridge pickup and dig in harder for the louder sections. The rest of the album is in standard tuning, so that is assumed here.
Common Questions About the "Behind the Wheel" Tone
What guitar did Depeche Mode use on "Behind the Wheel"?
The guitar on "Behind the Wheel" (released 1987) isn't documented; the Gretsch G6118T Anniversary above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Behind the Wheel" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Behind the Wheel" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Behind the Wheel" 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 "Behind the Wheel" by Depeche Mode are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.