How to Dial In "Black Hill Sanitarium" by King Diamond - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Black Hill Sanitarium"
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 Graveyard (1996). The Graveyard is the seventh studio album by Danish heavy metal band King Diamond, released in September 1996. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Flying V through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for King Diamond's other songs from The Graveyard, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Black Hill Sanitarium" Tone
What guitar did King Diamond use on "Black Hill Sanitarium"?
The guitar on "Black Hill Sanitarium" (released 1996) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Black Hill Sanitarium" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 7.5. 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 "Black Hill Sanitarium" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Black Hill Sanitarium" 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 "Black Hill Sanitarium" by King Diamond are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.