How to Dial In "In for the Kill" by Winger - Guitar Tone Settings
What Winger Actually Used on "In for the Kill"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Pull (1993). Pull is the third studio album by American rock band Winger. Reb Beach told Guitar Player in 2024 that the band tried a ton of amps on Pull and in the end a Mesa/Boogie Rectifier was used for all the songs, with his Pensa Suhr guitar. A Pensa MK-1 through a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier stands in for those two; the exact models and knob settings are not documented. 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 "In for the Kill" Tone
What guitar did Winger use on "In for the Kill"?
Winger tracked "In for the Kill" on a Pensa MK-1 (released 1993). 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 "In for the Kill" need?
On Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, 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 "In for the Kill" without a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "In for the Kill" 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 "In for the Kill" by Winger are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.