How to Dial In "War Zone" by Slayer - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "War Zone"
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 God Hates Us All (2001). God Hates Us All is the ninth studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on September 11, 2001, by American Recordings. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Slayer's other songs from God Hates Us All, stands in. Set the amp to a saturated high-gain setting and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "War Zone" Tone
What guitar did Slayer use on "War Zone"?
The guitar on "War Zone" (released 2001) isn't documented; the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop D (D A D G B E), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "War Zone" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 8.5, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 7, 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 "War Zone" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "War Zone" 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 "War Zone" by Slayer are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.