How to Dial In "Idle Hands" by Shadows Fall - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Idle Hands"
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 The Art of Balance (2002). The Art of Balance is the third album by American heavy metal band Shadows Fall, released on 17 September 2002 by Century Media Records. The album's personnel list credits Jon Donais on lead guitar and Matt Bachand on rhythm guitar. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD EC-1000 through a Peavey 6505+, the rig we use for Shadows Fall's other songs from The Art of Balance, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Idle Hands" Tone
What guitar did Shadows Fall use on "Idle Hands"?
The guitar on "Idle Hands" (released 2002) isn't documented; the ESP LTD EC-1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Idle Hands" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8, Bass 6.5, Mid 5.5, 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 "Idle Hands" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Idle Hands" 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 "Idle Hands" by Shadows Fall are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.