How to Dial In "Northern Star" by Hole - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Northern Star"
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.
A track on Celebrity Skin, released in September 1998 and produced by Michael Beinhorn, the album on which the band moved from raw grunge toward a glossier alternative-rock sound; Billy Corgan co-wrote several songs. Eric Erlandson's guitars are layered, polished and slightly gritty, with bright chords under Courtney Love's vocal. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Stratocaster through a Marshall with a distortion pedal stands in. Use the bridge pickup and a mid-gain tone.
Common Questions About the "Northern Star" Tone
What guitar did Hole use on "Northern Star"?
The guitar on "Northern Star" (released 1998) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Northern Star" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "Northern Star" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Northern Star" 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.
What pedals are on "Northern Star"?
Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Northern Star" by Hole are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.