How to Dial In "Scorpion Breath" by Mastodon - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Scorpion Breath"
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 Emperor of Sand (2017). Emperor of Sand is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Mastodon. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Flying V through Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig to the one documented for Mastodon, stands in. Set the amp to a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in a custom tuning (A G C F A D, low to high).
Common Questions About the "Scorpion Breath" Tone
What guitar did Mastodon use on "Scorpion Breath"?
The guitar on "Scorpion Breath" (released 2017) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Custom tuning, so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Scorpion Breath" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6.5, Mid 5.5, 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 "Scorpion Breath" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Scorpion Breath" 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 "Scorpion Breath" by Mastodon are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.