How to Dial In "Black John" by Stone Sour - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Black John"
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 House of Gold & Bones Part 2 (2013). House of Gold & Bones Part 2 is a studio album by the American rock band Stone Sour, released on 9 April 2013 by Roadrunner Records. The album's personnel list credits James Root and Josh Rand with guitar. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Jim Root Stratocaster through a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, the rig we use for Stone Sour's other songs from House of Gold & Bones Part 2, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Black John" Tone
What guitar did Stone Sour use on "Black John"?
The guitar on "Black John" (released 2013) isn't documented; the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Black John" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.5, 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 "Black John" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Black John" 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 "Black John" by Stone Sour are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.