How to Dial In "Shake Hands with Beef" by Primus - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Shake Hands with Beef"
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 Brown Album (1997). Brown Album is the fifth studio album by American rock band Primus. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Primus' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Shake Hands with Beef" Tone
What guitar did Primus use on "Shake Hands with Beef"?
The guitar on "Shake Hands with Beef" (released 1997) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Shake Hands with Beef" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 4.5, 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 "Shake Hands with Beef" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Shake Hands with Beef" 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 "Shake Hands with Beef" by Primus are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.