How to Dial In "You Won't Take Me Alive" by Tesla - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "You Won't Take Me Alive"
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 Shock (2019). Shock is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Tesla. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Tesla's other songs from Shock, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "You Won't Take Me Alive" Tone
What guitar did Tesla use on "You Won't Take Me Alive"?
The guitar on "You Won't Take Me Alive" (released 2019) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "You Won't Take Me Alive" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "You Won't Take Me Alive" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "You Won't Take Me Alive" 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 "You Won't Take Me Alive" by Tesla are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.