How to Dial In "Big Distortion" by Joe Satriani - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Big Distortion"
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 Shapeshifting (2020). Shapeshifting is the seventeenth studio album by American guitarist Joe Satriani, released on 10 April 2020 through Sony Music. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an Ibanez JS2410 Joe Satriani through a Marshall JVM410H, the rig we use for Joe Satriani's other songs from Shapeshifting, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "Big Distortion" Tone
What guitar did Joe Satriani use on "Big Distortion"?
The guitar on "Big Distortion" (released 2020) isn't documented; the Ibanez JS2410 Joe Satriani (Muscle Car Orange) 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 "Big Distortion" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "Big Distortion" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Big Distortion" 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 "Big Distortion" by Joe Satriani are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.