How to Dial In "Back to One" by Obituary - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Back to One"
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 The End Complete (1992). The End Complete is the third album by American death metal band Obituary, released on April 21, 1992, through R/C Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson King V through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Obituary's other songs from The End Complete, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in D standard (D G C F A D), a whole step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Back to One" Tone
What guitar did Obituary use on "Back to One"?
The guitar on "Back to One" (released 1992) isn't documented; the Jackson King V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in D Standard (D G C F A D), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Back to One" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 6.5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "Back to One" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Back to One" 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 "Back to One" by Obituary are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.