How to Dial In "Phantom of Guilt" by X Japan - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Phantom of Guilt"
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 Vanishing Vision (1988). Vanishing Vision is the debut studio album by Japanese heavy metal band X Japan, then known as simply X. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fernandes MG-X through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for X Japan's other songs from Vanishing Vision, 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 "Phantom of Guilt" Tone
What guitar did X Japan use on "Phantom of Guilt"?
The guitar on "Phantom of Guilt" (released 1988) isn't documented; the Fernandes MG-X (hide Model) 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 "Phantom of Guilt" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "Phantom of Guilt" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Phantom of Guilt" 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 "Phantom of Guilt" by X Japan are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.