How to Dial In "Refuse/Resist" by Sepultura - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Refuse/Resist"
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 JCM800 2203. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
Chaos A.D. is the record where Sepultura slowed down and swapped thrash speed for groove, and it sits below standard pitch — published transcriptions disagree on exactly how far, some in D, some lower, so it is logged as a custom tuning rather than asserting a specific one. Tune to the record rather than to a tab. Recorded 1993 at Rockfield in Wales with Andy Wallace. The opening is a heartbeat sample and Igor Cavalera's tribal drum pattern; the guitar enters as short, brutally simple muted figures with a lot of silence, which is the whole point of the groove-metal shift. Keep the tone mid-present rather than scooped and gate hard — the riff is defined by how abruptly it stops, and a sustaining, saturated tone erases the gaps the drums are meant to fill.
Common Questions About the "Refuse/Resist" Tone
What guitar did Sepultura use on "Refuse/Resist"?
Sepultura recorded "Refuse/Resist" (released 1993) before the ESP LTD EC-1000 came out; it is named above as a modern equivalent. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Custom tuning, so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Refuse/Resist" need?
On Marshall JCM800 2203: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "Refuse/Resist" without a Marshall JCM800 2203?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Refuse/Resist" 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 "Refuse/Resist"?
The original signal chain for "Refuse/Resist" runs through Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-9. 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 "Refuse/Resist" by Sepultura are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.