How to Dial In "First Class Loser" by Dropkick Murphys - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "First Class Loser"
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 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory (2017). A raucous Celtic-punk anthem with crunchy power chords under a gang chorus. A Mixdown interview says Tim Brennan's main recording guitar is a 1968 Gibson ES-345, which he used for most main parts on 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory, and Wikipedia says James Lynch has used a Marshall JCM800 onstage and in the studio; nothing says which player is on this track. So a Gibson ES-345 into a Marshall JCM800 2203 stands in. Set a medium-high crunch on the bridge pickup and keep the low end tight. The rest of the album is in standard tuning, so that is assumed here.
Common Questions About the "First Class Loser" Tone
What guitar did Dropkick Murphys use on "First Class Loser"?
The guitar on "First Class Loser" (released 2017) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-345 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "First Class Loser" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 6, 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 "First Class Loser" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "First Class Loser" 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 "First Class Loser" by Dropkick Murphys are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.