How to Dial In "Makes Me Wanna Sing" by Stryper - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Makes Me Wanna Sing"
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 Soldiers Under Command (1985). Soldiers Under Command is the first full-length studio album by American Christian metal band Stryper, released on 23 August 1985 by Enigma Records. The album's personnel list credits Michael Sweet and Oz Fox with lead and rhythm guitars. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 through a Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Reissue, the rig we use for Stryper's other songs from Soldiers Under Command, 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 "Makes Me Wanna Sing" Tone
What guitar did Stryper use on "Makes Me Wanna Sing"?
The guitar on "Makes Me Wanna Sing" (released 1985) isn't documented; the Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 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 "Makes Me Wanna Sing" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Makes Me Wanna Sing" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Makes Me Wanna Sing" 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 "Makes Me Wanna Sing" by Stryper are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.