How to Dial In "Dirty Dog" by Helix - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Dirty Dog"
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 No Rest for the Wicked (1983). No Rest for the Wicked is the third studio album by the Canadian hard rock and heavy metal band Helix, released on 11 March 1983 by Capitol Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Flying V through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Helix's other songs from No Rest for the Wicked, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Dirty Dog" Tone
What guitar did Helix use on "Dirty Dog"?
The guitar on "Dirty Dog" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Dirty Dog" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 8. 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 "Dirty Dog" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Dirty Dog" 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 "Dirty Dog" by Helix are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.