How to Dial In "Give Me the Painkiller" by Nails - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Give Me the Painkiller"
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 Every Bridge Burning (2024). Every Bridge Burning is the fourth studio album by American hardcore punk band Nails. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD EC-1000 through a Peavey 6505+, the nearest rig we use for Nails' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a saturated high-gain setting and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in C standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), two whole steps below standard.
Common Questions About the "Give Me the Painkiller" Tone
What guitar did Nails use on "Give Me the Painkiller"?
The guitar on "Give Me the Painkiller" (released 2024) isn't documented; the ESP LTD EC-1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in C Standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Give Me the Painkiller" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8.5, Bass 6, Mid 4.5, 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 "Give Me the Painkiller" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Give Me the Painkiller" 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 "Give Me the Painkiller" by Nails are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.