How to Dial In "The Souls of Distortion" by Joe Satriani - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Souls of 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 Is There Love in Space? (2004). Produced by Joe Satriani at The Plant Studios in Sausalito and Studio 21 in San Francisco in late 2003 and early 2004. Satriani wrote it, and it runs 4:58. Joe Satriani is long associated with Ibanez JS-series guitars and Marshall amps, but no source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an Ibanez Joe Satriani JS240 through a Marshall JCM800 2203 stands in. Set the amp at a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Souls of Distortion" Tone
What guitar did Joe Satriani use on "The Souls of Distortion"?
The guitar on "The Souls of Distortion" (released 2004) isn't documented; the Ibanez Joe Satriani JS240 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The Souls of Distortion" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 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 "The Souls of 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 "The Souls of 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.
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Tone references for "The Souls of Distortion" by Joe Satriani are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.