How to Dial In "Back to Avalon" by Heart - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Back to Avalon"
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 Desire Walks On (1993). Desire Walks On is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Heart, released on November 16, 1993, by Capitol 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 Heart's other songs from Desire Walks On, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Back to Avalon" Tone
What guitar did Heart use on "Back to Avalon"?
The guitar on "Back to Avalon" (released 1993) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Back to Avalon" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 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 "Back to Avalon" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Back to Avalon" 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 "Back to Avalon" by Heart are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.