How to Dial In "Marching to Mars" by Sammy Hagar - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Marching to Mars"
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 Marching to Mars (1997). Marching to Mars is the tenth studio album by American rock singer Sammy Hagar, and his first post-Van Halen solo album. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson SG Standard through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Sammy Hagar's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "Marching to Mars" Tone
What guitar did Sammy Hagar use on "Marching to Mars"?
The guitar on "Marching to Mars" (released 1997) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop D (D A D G B E), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Marching to Mars" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Marching to Mars" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Marching to Mars" 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 "Marching to Mars" by Sammy Hagar are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.