How to Dial In "City Beneath the Surface" by Savatage - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "City Beneath the Surface"
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 Fight for the Rock (1986). Fight for the Rock is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band Savatage, released on June 30, 1986. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson Pro Series Rhoads RRT-3 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Savatage's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "City Beneath the Surface" Tone
What guitar did Savatage use on "City Beneath the Surface"?
The guitar on "City Beneath the Surface" (released 1986) isn't documented; the Jackson Pro Series Rhoads RRT-3 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "City Beneath the Surface" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6, 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 "City Beneath the Surface" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "City Beneath the Surface" 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 "City Beneath the Surface" by Savatage are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.