How to Dial In "Had to (Leave)" by Katatonia - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Had to (Leave)"
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 Tonight's Decision (1999). Tonight's Decision is the fourth studio album by Swedish rock band Katatonia, released on 31 August 1999 by Peaceville Records. The album's personnel list credits Anders Nyström with guitars. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP E-II Horizon NT-II through a Peavey 5150, the rig we use for Katatonia's other songs from Tonight's Decision, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the neck pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Had to (Leave)" Tone
What guitar did Katatonia use on "Had to (Leave)"?
The guitar on "Had to (Leave)" (released 1999) isn't documented; the ESP E-II Horizon NT-II above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck 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 "Had to (Leave)" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Had to (Leave)" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Had to (Leave)" 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 "Had to (Leave)" by Katatonia are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.