How to Dial In "Human Strain" by Slayer - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Human Strain"
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 Painted Blood (2009). World Painted Blood is the eleventh studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer. The album's Wikipedia article says Kerry King used BC Rich guitars and Marshall amplifiers and cabinets while recording it, and Jeff Hanneman used ESP guitars and Marshall amplifiers and cabinets, but it names no models and ties none of them to this song, so a Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Slayer's other songs from World Painted Blood, stands in. Set the amp to a saturated high-gain setting and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard, a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Human Strain" Tone
What guitar did Slayer use on "Human Strain"?
The guitar on "Human Strain" (released 2009) isn't documented; the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 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 "Human Strain" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 9, Bass 6, Mid 4.5, Treble 7, Presence 7.5, 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 "Human Strain" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Human Strain" 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 "Human Strain" by Slayer are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.