How to Dial In "Ball and Chain" by Poison - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Ball and Chain"
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 Flesh & Blood (1990). Flesh & Blood is the third studio album by American glam metal band Poison, released on July 10, 1990, through Enigma and Capitol. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Poison's other songs from Flesh & Blood, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Ball and Chain" Tone
What guitar did Poison use on "Ball and Chain"?
The guitar on "Ball and Chain" (released 1990) isn't documented; the Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Ball and Chain" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.5, 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 "Ball and Chain" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Ball and Chain" 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 "Ball and Chain" by Poison are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.