How to Dial In "The Perfect Element" by Pain of Salvation - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Perfect Element"
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 Perfect Element, Part I (2000). The Perfect Element, Part I is Pain of Salvation's third studio album, released in October 2000. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Marshall JVM410H, the nearest rig we use for Pain of Salvation's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "The Perfect Element" Tone
What guitar did Pain of Salvation use on "The Perfect Element"?
The guitar on "The Perfect Element" (released 2000) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop D (D A D G B E), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "The Perfect Element" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Volume 6. 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 "The Perfect Element" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Perfect Element" 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 "The Perfect Element" by Pain of Salvation are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.