How to Dial In "Cataclysmic" by Joe Satriani - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Cataclysmic"
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 Shockwave Supernova (2015). Shockwave Supernova is the fifteenth studio album by guitarist Joe Satriani, released on July 24, 2015, through Sony Music Entertainment. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an Ibanez JS1200 Joe Satriani through a Marshall JVM410H, the rig we use for Joe Satriani's other songs from Shockwave Supernova, 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 "Cataclysmic" Tone
What guitar did Joe Satriani use on "Cataclysmic"?
The guitar on "Cataclysmic" (released 2015) isn't documented; the Ibanez JS1200 Joe Satriani 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 "Cataclysmic" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, 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 "Cataclysmic" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Cataclysmic" 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 "Cataclysmic" by Joe Satriani are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.