How to Dial In "Return to NOD" by High on Fire - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Return to NOD"
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 Death Is This Communion (2007). Death Is This Communion is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band High on Fire. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup Black Beauty through a Marshall JCM800 2203KK Kerry King Signature, the rig we use for High on Fire's other songs from Death Is This Communion, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in C standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), two whole steps below standard.
Common Questions About the "Return to NOD" Tone
What guitar did High on Fire use on "Return to NOD"?
The guitar on "Return to NOD" (released 2007) isn't documented; the Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup Black Beauty above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in C Standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Return to NOD" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5.5, 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 "Return to NOD" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Return to NOD" 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 "Return to NOD" by High on Fire are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.