How to Dial In "I Remember Nothing" by Joy Division - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Remember Nothing"
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 Unknown Pleasures (1979). A slow, bleak, sparse track where a cold, thin guitar adds sparse stabs over the bass. Mixdown's rundown says Bernard Sumner recorded Unknown Pleasures predominantly on a Shergold Masquerader, with a 1960s Gibson SG for some parts, and a Vox UL730 is the amp most often cited for the album, though those amp claims come mostly from fan and commercial pages. Nothing published ties a rig to this song, so a Shergold Masquerader into a Vox UL730 stands in. Keep the amp clean, just on the edge of breakup, and play the bridge pickup. The rest of the album is in standard tuning, so that is assumed here.
Common Questions About the "I Remember Nothing" Tone
What guitar did Joy Division use on "I Remember Nothing"?
The guitar on "I Remember Nothing" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Shergold Masquerader above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "I Remember Nothing" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "I Remember Nothing" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "I Remember Nothing" 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 "I Remember Nothing" by Joy Division are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.