How to Dial In "Blood of the Zodiac" by Machine Head - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Blood of the Zodiac"
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 More Things Change... (1997). The More Things Change... is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Machine Head, released on March 25, 1997 through Roadrunner Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP E-II Eclipse through a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier, the rig we use for Machine Head's other songs from The More Things Change.., stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in C♯ standard (C♯ F♯ B E G♯ C♯), three half steps below standard.
Common Questions About the "Blood of the Zodiac" Tone
What guitar did Machine Head use on "Blood of the Zodiac"?
The guitar on "Blood of the Zodiac" (released 1997) isn't documented; the ESP E-II Eclipse above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in C♯ Standard (C♯ F♯ B E G♯ C♯), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Blood of the Zodiac" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "Blood of the Zodiac" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Blood of the Zodiac" 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 "Blood of the Zodiac" by Machine Head are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.