How to Dial In "This Time's for Real" by Ill Niño - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "This Time's for Real"
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 Confession (2003). Confession is the second album released by the American heavy metal band Ill Niño. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD Viper-1000 through a Peavey 5150 II, the rig we use for Ill Niño's other songs from Confession, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "This Time's for Real" Tone
What guitar did Ill Niño use on "This Time's for Real"?
The guitar on "This Time's for Real" (released 2003) isn't documented; the ESP LTD Viper-1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop D (D A D G B E), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "This Time's for Real" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6.5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 7, Volume 9. 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 "This Time's for Real" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "This Time's for Real" 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 "This Time's for Real" by Ill Niño are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.