How to Dial In "I Like It Heavy" by Halestorm - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Like It Heavy"
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 Into the Wild Life (2015). A stomping, riff-heavy hard-rock track with a thick, crunchy guitar riff. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so an ESP E-II Eclipse through a Friedman BE-100 stands in. Use the bridge pickup and set the amp for a tight, high-gain tone. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "I Like It Heavy" Tone
What guitar did Halestorm use on "I Like It Heavy"?
The guitar on "I Like It Heavy" (released 2015) isn't documented; the ESP E-II Eclipse above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "I Like It Heavy" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 4.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.5, Volume 7.5. 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 Like It Heavy" 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 Like It Heavy" 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 Like It Heavy" by Halestorm are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.