How to Dial In "Historia Calamitatum" by Rise Against - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Historia Calamitatum"
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 Appeal to Reason (2008). Appeal to Reason is the fifth studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against. The album's Wikipedia article says the band used several amplifier combinations for the more aggressive songs, such as a Bogner and a Marshall Kerry King head, but it ties none of them to this song, so a Gibson Les Paul Classic through a Marshall JCM900 4100 Dual Reverb, the rig we use for Rise Against's other songs from Appeal to Reason, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard, a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Historia Calamitatum" Tone
What guitar did Rise Against use on "Historia Calamitatum"?
The guitar on "Historia Calamitatum" (released 2008) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Classic above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Historia Calamitatum" 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 "Historia Calamitatum" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Historia Calamitatum" 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 "Historia Calamitatum" by Rise Against are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.