How to Dial In "Always the Hard Way" by Terror - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Always the Hard Way"
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 Always the Hard Way (2006). Always the Hard Way is an album by American beatdown hardcore band Terror, released on the Trustkill label in 2006. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD EC-1000 through an EVH 5150III 100W, the nearest rig we use for Terror's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in D standard (D G C F A D), a whole step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Always the Hard Way" Tone
What guitar did Terror use on "Always the Hard Way"?
The guitar on "Always the Hard Way" (released 2006) isn't documented; the ESP LTD EC-1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in D Standard (D G C F A D), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Always the Hard Way" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 6, 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 "Always the Hard Way" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Always the Hard Way" 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 "Always the Hard Way" by Terror are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.