How to Dial In "San Francisco" by Alkaline Trio - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "San Francisco"
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 Goddamnit (1998). Their debut album, recorded in the summer of 1998 at Atlas in Chicago with Matt Allison and released on Asian Man on October 13, 1998. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson SG Standard through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig to the one Alkaline Trio is documented with, stands in. Set the amp to a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "San Francisco" Tone
What guitar did Alkaline Trio use on "San Francisco"?
The guitar on "San Francisco" (released 1998) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "San Francisco" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, 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 "San Francisco" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "San Francisco" 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 "San Francisco" by Alkaline Trio are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.