How to Dial In "Darkness Before Dawn" by Killing Joke - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Darkness Before Dawn"
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 Night Time (1985). Night Time is the fifth studio album by the English post-punk band Killing Joke, released on 25 February 1985 by E.G.. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-345 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Killing Joke's other songs from Night Time, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in D standard (D G C F A D), a whole step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Darkness Before Dawn" Tone
What guitar did Killing Joke use on "Darkness Before Dawn"?
The guitar on "Darkness Before Dawn" (released 1985) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-345 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in D Standard (D G C F A D), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Darkness Before Dawn" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 7, 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 "Darkness Before Dawn" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Darkness Before Dawn" 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 "Darkness Before Dawn" by Killing Joke are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.