How to Dial In "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll" by Michael Monroe - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll"
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 Not Fakin' It (1989). Not Fakin' It is the second studio album by Hanoi Rocks singer Michael Monroe, released in September 1989 through PolyGram; a remastered edition was reissued through Lemon Recordings in 2003. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue, a common rig for this kind of sound, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll" Tone
What guitar did Michael Monroe use on "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll"?
The guitar on "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll" (released 1989) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 7, 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 "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll" 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.
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Tone references for "Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll" by Michael Monroe are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.