How to Dial In "Miserlou" by Agent Orange - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Miserlou"
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 Living in Darkness (1981). Living in Darkness is the debut studio album by American punk rock band Agent Orange, released in 1981 on Posh Boy Records. The album's Wikipedia article lists this as one of three covers of classic surf instrumentals on the record: Agent Orange's take on Dick Dale's "Misirlou". No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Agent Orange's other songs from Living in Darkness, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Miserlou" Tone
What guitar did Agent Orange use on "Miserlou"?
The guitar on "Miserlou" (released 1981) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Miserlou" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 4.5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 7.5. 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 "Miserlou" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Miserlou" 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 "Miserlou" by Agent Orange are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.