How to Dial In "Living and Dying" by Scorpions - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Living and Dying"
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 In Trance (1975). In Trance is the third studio album by German rock band Scorpions, released by RCA Records in 1975. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue, the rig we use for Scorpions' other songs from In Trance, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Living and Dying" Tone
What guitar did Scorpions use on "Living and Dying"?
The guitar on "Living and Dying" (released 1975) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster 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 "Living and Dying" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, 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 "Living and Dying" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Living and Dying" 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 "Living and Dying" by Scorpions are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.