How to Dial In "Heavy Metal Breakdown" by Grave Digger - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Heavy Metal Breakdown"
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 Heavy Metal Breakdown (1984). Heavy Metal Breakdown is the debut studio album by German heavy metal band Grave Digger, released on 20 October 1984 via Noise Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD EC-1000 through an Engl Fireball 100, the nearest rig we use for Grave Digger's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Heavy Metal Breakdown" Tone
What guitar did Grave Digger use on "Heavy Metal Breakdown"?
The guitar on "Heavy Metal Breakdown" (released 1984) isn't documented; the ESP LTD EC-1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Heavy Metal Breakdown" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "Heavy Metal Breakdown" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Heavy Metal Breakdown" 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 "Heavy Metal Breakdown" by Grave Digger are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.