How to Dial In "The Bell Witch" by Mercyful Fate - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Bell Witch"
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 In the Shadows (1993). Their third album, recorded between February and April 1993 at Dallas Sound Lab in Texas and produced by King Diamond, Hank Shermann and Tim Kimsey, released on Metal Blade on 22 June 1993. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Flying V through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig to the one Mercyful Fate is documented with, stands in. Set the amp to a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Bell Witch" Tone
What guitar did Mercyful Fate use on "The Bell Witch"?
The guitar on "The Bell Witch" (released 1993) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The Bell Witch" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, 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 "The Bell Witch" 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 Bell Witch" 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 Bell Witch" by Mercyful Fate are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.