How to Dial In "Play Dirty" by Poison - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Play Dirty"
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 Look What the Cat Dragged In (1986). Look What the Cat Dragged In is the debut studio album by American glam metal band Poison, released on May 23, 1986, by Enigma Records and Capitol Records. 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 Look What the Cat Dragged In, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Play Dirty" Tone
What guitar did Poison use on "Play Dirty"?
The guitar on "Play Dirty" (released 1986) isn't documented; the Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Play Dirty" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "Play Dirty" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Play Dirty" 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 "Play Dirty" by Poison are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.