How to Dial In "Last December" by Iced Earth - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Last December"
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 Burnt Offerings (1995). Burnt Offerings is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Iced Earth. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Explorer through a Marshall JCM800 2204, the rig we use for Iced Earth's other songs from Burnt Offerings, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Last December" Tone
What guitar did Iced Earth use on "Last December"?
The guitar on "Last December" (released 1995) isn't documented; the Gibson Explorer above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Last December" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 6.5, Presence 7, 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 "Last December" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Last December" 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 "Last December" by Iced Earth are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.