How to Dial In "Last Night on Earth" by U2 - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Last Night on Earth"
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 Pop (1997). Pop is the ninth studio album by the Irish rock band U2. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Explorer through a Vox AC30HW2 Hand-Wired, the rig we use for U2's other songs from Pop, 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 "Last Night on Earth" Tone
What guitar did U2 use on "Last Night on Earth"?
The guitar on "Last Night on Earth" (released 1997) isn't documented; the Gibson Explorer 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 "Last Night on Earth" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6, 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 "Last Night on Earth" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Last Night on Earth" 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 "Last Night on Earth" by U2 are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.