How to Dial In "Sooner Kill 'Em First" by Dropkick Murphys - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Sooner Kill 'Em First"
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 For the People (2025). For the People is the thirteenth studio album by American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys and was released on July 4, 2025 (streaming), and was released on October 10, 2025 (CD and LP), on Dummy Luck Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Dropkick Murphys' other songs from For the People, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Sooner Kill 'Em First" Tone
What guitar did Dropkick Murphys use on "Sooner Kill 'Em First"?
The guitar on "Sooner Kill 'Em First" (released 2025) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Sooner Kill 'Em First" 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 "Sooner Kill 'Em First" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Sooner Kill 'Em First" 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 "Sooner Kill 'Em First" by Dropkick Murphys are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.