How to Dial In "Contrast the Dead" by Obituary - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Contrast the Dead"
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 Xecutioner's Return (2007). Xecutioner's Return is the seventh studio album by American death metal band Obituary, released on August 28, 2007 through Candlelight Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson King V through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Obituary's other songs, 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 "Contrast the Dead" Tone
What guitar did Obituary use on "Contrast the Dead"?
The guitar on "Contrast the Dead" (released 2007) 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 "Contrast the Dead" 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 "Contrast the Dead" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Contrast the Dead" 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 "Contrast the Dead" by Obituary are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.