How to Dial In "Iron Horse/Born to Lose" by Motörhead - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Iron Horse/Born to Lose"
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 On Parole (1979). On Parole is a studio recording released by the original line-up of English rock band Motörhead, which at the time consisted of Lemmy Kilmister on vocals and bass, Larry Wallis on guitar, and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor on drums (replacing Lucas Fox). No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a Marshall JMP 2203 Master Volume, the rig we use for Motörhead's other songs from On Parole, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Iron Horse/Born to Lose" Tone
What guitar did Motörhead use on "Iron Horse/Born to Lose"?
The guitar on "Iron Horse/Born to Lose" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Custom above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Iron Horse/Born to Lose" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 8. 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 "Iron Horse/Born to Lose" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Iron Horse/Born to Lose" 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 "Iron Horse/Born to Lose" by Motörhead are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.