How to Dial In "Instinct of Survival" by Napalm Death - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Instinct of Survival"
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 Scum (1987). Scum is the debut studio album by English grindcore band Napalm Death, released on 1 July 1987 by Earache Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an Ibanez Iceman IC400 through a Peavey Bandit 112, the rig we use for Napalm Death's other songs from Scum, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Instinct of Survival" Tone
What guitar did Napalm Death use on "Instinct of Survival"?
The guitar on "Instinct of Survival" (released 1987) isn't documented; the Ibanez Iceman IC400 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Instinct of Survival" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 9. 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 "Instinct of Survival" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Instinct of Survival" 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 "Instinct of Survival" by Napalm Death are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.