How to Dial In "Broken Hearts" by Living Colour - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Broken Hearts"
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 Vivid (1988). Vivid is the debut studio album by American rock band Living Colour, released on May 2, 1988, by Epic Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP E-II Eclipse through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Living Colour's other songs from Vivid, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Broken Hearts" Tone
What guitar did Living Colour use on "Broken Hearts"?
The guitar on "Broken Hearts" (released 1988) isn't documented; the ESP E-II Eclipse above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Broken Hearts" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, 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 "Broken Hearts" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Broken Hearts" 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 "Broken Hearts" by Living Colour are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.