How to Dial In "Idle Hands" by Kerry King - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Idle Hands"
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 the album From Hell I Rise (2024), Kerry King's debut solo album, released on May 17, 2024, through Reigning Phoenix Music. Premier Guitar's feature on the record has King running a Marshall JCM800 2203KK into Marshall Mode Four cabinets, keeping one main rhythm tone from song to song, with no delay on the rhythm parts because the music is too precise for it. His guitars in that feature are Dean Kerry King V models; the article does not say which one is on this song, so the Dean USA Kerry King V through the JCM800 2203KK Kerry King Signature is a close match rather than a documented rig for this track. Set the amp to a saturated high-gain setting 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 "Idle Hands" Tone
What guitar did Kerry King use on "Idle Hands"?
The guitar on "Idle Hands" (released 2024) isn't documented; the Dean USA Kerry King V 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 "Idle Hands" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Idle Hands" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Idle Hands" 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 "Idle Hands" by Kerry King are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.