How to Dial In "Brain Death" by Nuclear Assault - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Brain Death"
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 Game Over (1986). Game Over is the debut album by American thrash metal band Nuclear Assault, released on 7 October 1986 by Combat Records. The album's personnel list credits John Connelly and Anthony Bramante with guitars. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP E-II Eclipse through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Nuclear Assault's other songs from Game Over, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Brain Death" Tone
What guitar did Nuclear Assault use on "Brain Death"?
The guitar on "Brain Death" (released 1986) isn't documented; the ESP E-II Eclipse above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Brain Death" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 6, 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 "Brain Death" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Brain Death" 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 "Brain Death" by Nuclear Assault are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.