How to Dial In "When It's Time to Rock" by UFO - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "When It's Time to Rock"
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 Making Contact (1983). Making Contact is the eleventh studio album by the English hard rock band UFO, released in January 1983. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Flying V through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue, the nearest rig we use for UFO's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "When It's Time to Rock" Tone
What guitar did UFO use on "When It's Time to Rock"?
The guitar on "When It's Time to Rock" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "When It's Time to Rock" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.5, Volume 7.5. 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 "When It's Time to Rock" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "When It's Time to Rock" 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 "When It's Time to Rock" by UFO are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.