How to Dial In "The Contrarian" by A Perfect Circle - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Contrarian"
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). Eat the Elephant is the fourth studio album by American rock band A Perfect Circle. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a PRS Custom 24 through a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, the rig we use for A Perfect Circle's other songs from Eat the Elephant, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Contrarian" Tone
What guitar did A Perfect Circle use on "The Contrarian"?
The guitar on "The Contrarian" (released 2018) isn't documented; the PRS Custom 24 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The Contrarian" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6.5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 6, 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 "The Contrarian" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Contrarian" 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 "The Contrarian" by A Perfect Circle are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.