🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get Slayer's guitar tone

Slayer across 3 famous tones — mostly through Marshall JCM800 2203, Marshall JCM800 2203 + an overdrive boost, Marshall JCM800, with active humbuckers. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 8.5 · bass 6.5 · mid 3.5 · treble 7.5 · presence 7 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get Slayer's tones on YOUR rig — free →

Slayer's go-to amps

Marshall JCM800 2203 ×1Marshall JCM800 2203 + an overdrive boost ×1Marshall JCM800 ×1

Slayer's tuning & guitars

Tuning: Down-tuned across three tunings — D# standard (a half-step down), C# standard (a whole step and a half down) and B standard on the heaviest material; Kerry King runs several guitars pre-tuned per song.
Guitars: Kerry King’s B.C. Rich signature guitars.

Tune to match with our free tuning chart, then dial any tone below in on your own amp — GuitarToneAdapt handles the rest, free.

3 famous Slayer tones

Angel of Death
gain 9 · bass 6 · mid 4 · treble 8
Dead Skin Mask
gain 8.5 · bass 6 · mid 4 · treble 7.5
Raining Blood
gain 8 · bass 7 · mid 2 · treble 7

Metal amp settings

Slayer is a metal staple. See the best amp settings for metal — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

Similar artists

MetallicaPanteraLinkin ParkDeftonesAvenged SevenfoldSlipknotBlack SabbathMegadeth

How to get Slayer's tone — FAQ

What tuning does Slayer use?

Down-tuned across three tunings — D# standard (a half-step down), C# standard (a whole step and a half down) and B standard on the heaviest material; Kerry King runs several guitars pre-tuned per song. Kerry King’s B.C. Rich signature guitars.

What amp settings does Slayer use?

Averaged across 3 of their tones: gain 8.5, bass 6.5, mid 3.5, treble 7.5, presence 7 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like Slayer?

They favour Marshall JCM800 2203, Marshall JCM800 2203 + an overdrive boost, Marshall JCM800 with active humbuckers. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get Slayer's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Marshall JCM800 2203, Marshall JCM800 2203 + an overdrive boost, Marshall JCM800 and active humbuckers) and a starting EQ of gain 8.5, bass 6.5, mid 3.5, treble 7.5, presence 7 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 3 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get Slayer's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · tuning chart · all 1,200+ tones.