How to Dial In "Ice Age" by Joy Division - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Ice Age"
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 Still (1981). A tense, driving post-punk song with a bright, trebly, edgy guitar. 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. No source documents the guitar or amp on this track, so a Shergold Masquerader into a Vox UL730 stands in. Set a light-to-medium crunch on the bridge pickup and dig in harder for the louder sections. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Ice Age" Tone
What guitar did Joy Division use on "Ice Age"?
The guitar on "Ice Age" (released 1981) isn't documented; the Shergold Masquerader above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Ice Age" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, 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 "Ice Age" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Ice Age" 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 "Ice Age" by Joy Division are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.