How to Dial In "By Demons Be Driven" by Pantera - Guitar Tone Settings
What Pantera Actually Used on "By Demons Be Driven"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Randall RG100ES. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
D standard, and the same A=425Hz caveat applies as across Vulgar Display of Power - the record sits roughly a quarter tone below concert pitch, so tune to it rather than to a tuner. This is a heavy, mid-tempo cut built on a chunky, scooped riff, with Dimebag Darrell's pinch-harmonic squeals; those squeals are picking technique, not a setting. Guitar World's account of his rig around the album describes a Bill Lawrence L-500-class bridge pickup in his Dean guitars and a chain of a Furman PQ-4 into an MXR six-band EQ and a Rocktron Hush 2-B noise gate ahead of solid-state Randall amps; the Dean ML and Randall RG100ES here are the closest catalog pieces, and the Furman and Rocktron units are not in the catalog. Those sources describe his rig around the album rather than this song, so treat it as the era's setup. Keep the treble and presence up, gate the stops hard, and resist adding low end to make it comfortable.
Common Questions About the "By Demons Be Driven" Tone
What guitar did Pantera use on "By Demons Be Driven"?
Pantera tracked "By Demons Be Driven" on a Dean ML Select Classic (released 1992). 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 "By Demons Be Driven" need?
On Randall RG100ES: Gain 8.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7.5, Presence 7, 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 "By Demons Be Driven" without a Randall RG100ES?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "By Demons Be Driven" 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.
What pedals are on "By Demons Be Driven"?
The original signal chain for "By Demons Be Driven" runs through MXR M109S Six Band Graphic EQ. Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "By Demons Be Driven" by Pantera are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.