How to Dial In "I Come First" by Halestorm - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Come 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 Back from the Dead (2022). Back from the Dead is the fifth studio album by American rock band Halestorm, released on 6 May 2022 by Atlantic Records. The album's personnel list credits Joe Hottinger on lead guitar and Lzzy Hale with guitar. Guitar World's coverage of the album says Joe Hottinger brought two vintage Marshall amps to the sessions and that the main guitar sounds were tracked with two amps at once, but no source names the models or this track's gear, so a Gibson Explorer through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Halestorm's other songs from Back from the Dead, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "I Come First" Tone
What guitar did Halestorm use on "I Come First"?
The guitar on "I Come First" (released 2022) isn't documented; the Gibson Explorer above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "I Come First" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5.5, 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 "I Come 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 "I Come 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 "I Come First" by Halestorm are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.