How to Dial In "Natural Science" by Rush - Guitar Tone Settings
What Rush Actually Used on "Natural Science"
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 Marshall JMP 2203 Master Volume. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
Nine minutes in three named movements and the last of the band's long-form epics before they moved to shorter songs — it closes Permanent Waves, the album that marks the transition. The guitar work covers the whole range Lifeson had developed by 1980: clean chorused arpeggios with suspended voicings for the opening 'Tide Pools' section, then hard riffing, then a return. So build one mid-gain setting you can clean up with the guitar volume rather than switching patches. Standard tuning. Recorded 1979 at Le Studio in Quebec. Keep the chorus and delay available — they are structural in the quiet sections rather than decorative — and keep gain moderate so open voicings stay legible.
Common Questions About the "Natural Science" Tone
What guitar did Rush use on "Natural Science"?
Rush tracked "Natural Science" on a Gibson ES-355 (released 1980). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Natural Science" need?
On Marshall JMP 2203 Master Volume: Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Natural Science" without a Marshall JMP 2203 Master Volume?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Natural Science" 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 "Natural Science"?
The original signal chain for "Natural Science" runs through Boss CE-2 Chorus, Maestro Echoplex EP-3 Tape Delay. 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 "Natural Science" by Rush are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.