🎸 Metal · 1990s

Blind by Korn (Distorted · Distorted) — Guitar Tone

by Korn · distorted

The Blind by Korn guitar tone is built on a Mesa/Boogie Basis M-2000 Head into Mesa/Boogie 4x10 cabinet, dialed in at gain 7/10, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 7, presence 7 (community-researched baseline). Full breakdown below — then adapt every knob to your exact guitar and amp, free.

🎛️ These settings are for the original rig — re-dial them for YOUR amp in 10 seconds. Free, no signup →

Amp settings (0–10)

GAIN

5.5

BASS

MID

TREBLE

PRESENCE

Community-researched baseline. Your rig is different — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials every knob for your specific guitar, amp and pickups.

How these settings compare

Measured against the 284 metal tones in our researched catalog: Gain 7 sits right around the metal average (7.3); mids at 6 are right around average (5.2).

Original gear

Amp: Mesa/Boogie Basis M-2000 Head into Mesa/Boogie 4x10 cabinet · Strings: Roundwounds (typical for Fieldy, no evidence of flats or tapes) · Tuning: 5-string A standard (ADGCF)

Studio recording, 1994, Indigo Ranch Studios for Korn's debut album

Gear used on this tone

🎚️ Mesa/Boogie songs & tones →🎚️ Ibanez RG songs & tones →

Don’t own this gear? GuitarToneAdapt re-creates the sound on the rig you actually have.

Pickups

Both pickups balanced (Fieldy typically runs both full up for maximum output and click)

Effects / signal chain

Ibanez SR1305 (active, both pickups) → Boss ODB-3 (distortion, always-on for heavy sections) → Mesa/Boogie Basis M-2000 (extreme scoop EQ, compression) → Mesa 4x10 cab (mic'd, possibly DI blend)

Amp effects: Overdrive (level 7.5) · Compression (level 6)

Tone character

deep and subby low end, extremely scooped mids, clanky, percussive attack, aggressive high-end click, audible overdrive/distortion, tight, compressed envelope, gritty, almost fuzzy edge, metallic, synthetic top end, distinctive slap/pop transient

Recording context

studio

How it’s played

straight, medium tempo, aggressive dynamics. This shapes how hard the amp is pushed and where the EQ sits for the Blind sound.

Difficulty

2.5/5 · Distorted

While the note choices are simple, the slap technique, muting, and consistent attack needed for Fieldy's signature percussive, clanky sound require intermediate skill and control.

Worth knowing

Exact amp EQ settings not documented for 'Blind'; values estimated from multiple forum sources and Fieldy's known approach.
No direct studio documentation of pedal use for this track; Boss ODB-3 is widely cited as Fieldy's distortion source but not 100% confirmed for 'Blind'.
Compression level is estimated; Fieldy's tone is heavily compressed but no pedal or rack unit is confirmed for this session.
Settings merged 75% AI / 25% web research. Fieldy (Korn's bassist) used a 5-string Ibanez SR (active) with a fingerstyle slap/pop technique, running through Ampeg SVT/Trace Elliot rigs with significant drive and a signature clanky, percussive, heavily distorted tone. The 1994 nu-metal production scoops lows for tightness, boosts upper mids/treble for attack, and uses moderate compression. Both DI and amp-mic were likely blended.

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Blind guitar tone — FAQ

What amp settings do I need for the Blind guitar tone?

Set your amp to roughly: gain 7, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 7, presence 7. These are community-researched baselines — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials them for your exact guitar and amp.

What gear was used for the Blind tone?

Original gear/effects: Amp: Mesa/Boogie Basis M-2000 Head into Mesa/Boogie 4x10 cabinet · Strings: Roundwounds (typical for Fieldy, no evidence of flats or tapes) · Tuning: 5-string A standard (ADGCF); Ibanez SR1305 (active, both pickups) → Boss ODB-3 (distortion, always-on for heavy sections) → Mesa/Boogie Basis M-2000 (extreme scoop EQ, compression) → Mesa 4x10 cab (mic'd, possibly DI blend).

Can I get the Blind tone on a different guitar or amp?

Yes. Different guitars and amps need different knob positions to sound the same. GuitarToneAdapt models pickup output and wood brightness, then compensates so you match the record on your own rig.

How do I sound like Korn on Blind — what gear and pedals?

Start with Both pickups balanced (Fieldy typically runs both full up for maximum output and click), the amp EQ above (gain 7, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 7, presence 7), and Ibanez SR1305 (active, both pickups) → Boss ODB-3 (distortion, always-on for heavy sections) → Mesa/Boogie Basis M-2000 (extreme scoop EQ, compression) → Mesa 4x10 cab (mic'd, possibly DI blend). Then let GuitarToneAdapt compensate for the guitar, amp and pedals you actually own so it sits like the record.

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More like this

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Settings are community-researched estimates, not official. GuitarToneAdapt adapts them to your gear. guitartoneadapt.com