How to Dial In "Life in Still Water" by Fates Warning - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Life in Still Water"
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 Parallels (1991). Parallels is the sixth studio album by American progressive metal band Fates Warning, released on October 29, 1991, through Metal Blade 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 Fates Warning's other songs from Parallels, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Life in Still Water" Tone
What guitar did Fates Warning use on "Life in Still Water"?
The guitar on "Life in Still Water" (released 1991) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Life in Still Water" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, 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 "Life in Still Water" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Life in Still Water" 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 "Life in Still Water" by Fates Warning are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.