How to Dial In "Sex Drive" by W.A.S.P. - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Sex Drive"
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 The Last Command (1985). The Last Command is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band W.A.S.P., released on October 25, 1985. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for W.A.S.P.'s other songs from The Last 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 "Sex Drive" Tone
What guitar did W.A.S.P. use on "Sex Drive"?
The guitar on "Sex Drive" (released 1985) isn't documented; the Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR 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 "Sex Drive" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.5, 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 "Sex Drive" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Sex Drive" 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 "Sex Drive" by W.A.S.P. are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.