How to Dial In "Spirit in Black" by Slayer - Guitar Tone Settings
What Slayer Actually Used on "Spirit in Black"
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.
E flat standard. Seasons in the Abyss sits deliberately between the extremes the band had already established — faster than South of Heaven, less relentless than Reign in Blood — and 'Spirit in Black' is squarely in that middle: a driving mid-to-fast riff with room to breathe rather than a continuous assault. Recorded 1990 with Rick Rubin and Andy Wallace, the last album with Dave Lombardo until the 2000s. Keep the mids scooped and the treble high in the Slayer manner, but the gain lower than the aggression implies: Hanneman and King's riffs depend on hearing every downpicked note, and saturation at this tempo turns the whole thing into a single sustained tone.
Common Questions About the "Spirit in Black" Tone
What guitar did Slayer use on "Spirit in Black"?
Slayer tracked "Spirit in Black" on a Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 (released 1990). 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 "Spirit in Black" need?
On Marshall JCM800 2203: Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 7.5, Presence 7, 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 "Spirit in Black" 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 "Spirit in Black" 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 "Spirit in Black"?
The original signal chain for "Spirit in Black" 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 "Spirit in Black" by Slayer are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.