How to Dial In "Word to the Wise" by Mastodon - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Word to the Wise"
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 a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Mastodon's other songs from Emperor of Sand, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Word to the Wise" Tone
What guitar did Mastodon use on "Word to the Wise"?
The guitar on "Word to the Wise" (released 2017) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Word to the Wise" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 7.5. 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 "Word to the Wise" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Word to the Wise" 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 "Word to the Wise" by Mastodon are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.