GuitarDistortedRiff60% confidence
Knockin' On Heaven's Door Guitar Tone Settings — Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1959 Gibson Korina Flying V
Pickups
Original Gibson PAF humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, Use Your Illusion sessions (circa 1990-1991). Slash used the 1959 Gibson Korina Flying V specifically for the distorted rhythm and riff sections of 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door.' The amp was the Marshall Silver Jubilee, his main studio amp for this era.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain6.5
Reverb2.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay
Guitar → Delay pedal (subtle) → Marshall Silver Jubilee (with spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- British crunch
- singing sustain
- full-bodied midrange punch
- rich harmonic overtones
- classic Marshall roar
- slightly compressed attack
- tight, articulate power chords
- warm, woody character
- open, dynamic response
- clear note separation
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for this song's studio recording found; settings estimated based on typical Marshall Silver Jubilee usage for Slash in this era and genre.
- Pedal/effects information for the riff section is not explicitly documented for the studio recording; delay and reverb are included based on clear audibility and genre conventions.
- Some sources mention live use of Gibson EDS-1275 and Les Pauls, but the studio riff was tracked with the 1959 Korina Flying V per multiple interviews and Equipboard.
- No evidence of chorus, flanger, or phaser in the riff section; only delay and reverb are clearly audible.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Slash's riff tone on 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' is classic hard rock crunch with a warm, mid-forward character typical of his Marshall amps and Les Paul combo. The gain is set for a crunchy, dynamic response, with mids pushed for presence in the mix, balanced bass and treble, moderate presence for clarity, and subtle reverb for space without washing out the tone.