How to Dial In "What's It Gonna Take" by Mötley Crüe - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "What's It Gonna Take"
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 Saints of Los Angeles (2008). Saints of Los Angeles is the ninth studio album by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on 24 June 2008 by Mötley Records and Eleven Seven Music. The album's personnel list credits Mick Mars on lead guitar and DJ Ashba, uncredited, on rhythm guitar. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Mötley Crüe's other songs from Saints of Los Angeles, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "What's It Gonna Take" Tone
What guitar did Mötley Crüe use on "What's It Gonna Take"?
The guitar on "What's It Gonna Take" (released 2008) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Custom above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "What's It Gonna Take" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.5, 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 "What's It Gonna Take" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "What's It Gonna Take" 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 "What's It Gonna Take" by Mötley Crüe are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.