How to Dial In "Arahja" by Kult - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Arahja"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
Standard tuning. One of the defining Polish rock songs, recorded in the last year of communist rule and still enormously streamed. Kult's guitar sound is squarely post-punk — thin, bright, chorused, with a repeating single-note figure rather than chords and almost no distortion. Set the amp clean with the bass rolled well down, add chorus and a rhythmic delay, and keep the gain near zero. The saxophone in the arrangement occupies the midrange, so the guitar stays high and out of its way. The lyric's political reading is a large part of the song's endurance in Poland; the guitar's job is to keep the groove hypnotic and unchanging.
Common Questions About the "Arahja" Tone
What guitar did Kult use on "Arahja"?
Kult tracked "Arahja" on a Stratocaster (released 1988). The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Arahja" need?
On Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus: Gain 3.5, Bass 4.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 6. 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 "Arahja" without a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Arahja" 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.
What pedals are on "Arahja"?
The original signal chain for "Arahja" runs through Boss CE-2 Chorus, Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man. Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Arahja" by Kult are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.