How to Dial In "Scratch the Surface" by Sick of It All - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Scratch 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 Scratch the Surface (1994). Scratch the Surface is the third studio album by the American hardcore punk band Sick of It All, released on October 18, 1994, by East West Records. 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 Sick of It All'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 "Scratch the Surface" Tone
What guitar did Sick of It All use on "Scratch the Surface"?
The guitar on "Scratch the Surface" (released 1994) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Scratch the Surface" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 8. 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 "Scratch 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 "Scratch 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 "Scratch the Surface" by Sick of It All are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.