How to Dial In "Phantoms" by Meshuggah - Guitar Tone Settings
What Meshuggah Actually Used on "Phantoms"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for an EVH 5150III 100W. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Immutable (2022). Immutable is the ninth studio album by Swedish extreme metal band Meshuggah, released on 1 April 2022 by Atomic Fire Records. The album's personnel list credits Fredrik Thordendal on lead guitar and Mårten Hagström on rhythm guitar. Reports on the album's recording say Mårten Hagström tracked about 95 percent of it on his Ibanez M8M and moved from his usual Dual Rectifier heads to EVH 5150 III heads for it, so this tone uses the M8M through an EVH 5150III 100W. Accounts differ on the exact amp chain (one adds a Mesa/Boogie Roadster power amp behind the EVH), and no source names the gear for this particular track. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Phantoms" Tone
What guitar did Meshuggah use on "Phantoms"?
The original guitar for "Phantoms" isn't conclusively documented. The settings on this page are calibrated to the recorded tone regardless of which specific guitar you play.
What amp settings does "Phantoms" need?
On EVH 5150III 100W: Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 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 "Phantoms" without an EVH 5150III 100W?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Phantoms" 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 "Phantoms" by Meshuggah are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.