How to Dial In "Battleground" by Slash - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Battleground"
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 World on Fire (2014). World on Fire is the second studio album billed to the American band Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, consisting of Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and his backup band, released on September 10, 2014; it also acts as Slash's third solo album. Slash told Total Guitar (via MusicRadar, 2014) that his 'Appetite' Les Paul, the replica Kris Derrig built, and a '57 Goldtop reissue were used for most of the leads on World on Fire, with Gibson Les Paul Juniors, Melody Makers and hollowbody ES-175 and ES-135 guitars on rhythm parts, and he said the hollowbodies sound punchy through a Marshall. He does not name his amps or tie any of it to one song, so the catalog's Gibson Slash 'Inspired By' Les Paul Standard through a Marshall JCM800 2203 stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-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 "Battleground" Tone
What guitar did Slash use on "Battleground"?
The guitar on "Battleground" (released 2014) isn't documented; the Gibson Slash 'Inspired By' Les Paul Standard 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 "Battleground" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.5, 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 "Battleground" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Battleground" 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 "Battleground" by Slash are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.