How to Dial In "Psycho Monkey" by Joe Satriani - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Psycho Monkey"
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 Crystal Planet (1998). Crystal Planet is the seventh studio album by the American guitarist Joe Satriani, released on March 3, 1998, by Epic Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an Ibanez JS1200 Joe Satriani through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Joe Satriani's other songs from Crystal Planet, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-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 "Psycho Monkey" Tone
What guitar did Joe Satriani use on "Psycho Monkey"?
The guitar on "Psycho Monkey" (released 1998) 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 "Psycho Monkey" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Psycho Monkey" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Psycho Monkey" 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 "Psycho Monkey" by Joe Satriani are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.