How to Dial In "Disillusioned" by A Perfect Circle - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Disillusioned"
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 Eat the Elephant (2018). A slow, brooding alt-rock song with a heavy, layered guitar that stays moderate in gain so the chords stay defined. Premier Guitar's rundown and a MusicRadar career-in-gear piece describe Billy Howerdel's main guitar as a 1960-style Gibson Les Paul Classic reissue he assembled from two guitars, fitted with Tom Anderson humbuckers and tuned to C#, and a Dave Friedman-modified 1978 Marshall Super Lead among his amps, but the pieces date from about 2018 to 2022 and do not name the rig for this recording. So a Gibson Les Paul Classic into a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue stands in. Set a medium-high crunch on the bridge pickup and keep the low end tight. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Disillusioned" Tone
What guitar did A Perfect Circle use on "Disillusioned"?
The guitar on "Disillusioned" (released 2018) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Classic above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Disillusioned" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 8. 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 "Disillusioned" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Disillusioned" 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 "Disillusioned" by A Perfect Circle are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.