How to Dial In "The Beast" by Mastodon - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Beast"
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 Hushed and Grim (2021). Hushed and Grim is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Mastodon, released on October 29, 2021 through Reprise Records, their final release on the label. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD Bill Kelliher Sparrowhawk through a Marshall JCM800 2210, the nearest rig to the one documented for Mastodon, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in D standard (D G C F A D), a whole step below standard.
Common Questions About the "The Beast" Tone
What guitar did Mastodon use on "The Beast"?
The guitar on "The Beast" (released 2021) isn't documented; the ESP LTD Bill Kelliher Sparrowhawk (Signature) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in D Standard (D G C F A D), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "The Beast" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, 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 "The Beast" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Beast" 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 "The Beast" by Mastodon are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.