How to Dial In "While the City Sleeps" by Kiss - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "While the City Sleeps"
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 Animalize (1984). Animalize is the twelfth studio album by American rock band Kiss. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Kiss' other songs from Animalize, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "While the City Sleeps" Tone
What guitar did Kiss use on "While the City Sleeps"?
The guitar on "While the City Sleeps" (released 1984) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Custom above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "While the City Sleeps" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 8. 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 "While the City Sleeps" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "While the City Sleeps" 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 "While the City Sleeps" by Kiss are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.