How to Dial In "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Suburbs"
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 The Suburbs (2010). The Suburbs is the third studio album by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, released on August 3, 2010, by Merge Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Arcade Fire's other songs from The Suburbs, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Suburbs" Tone
What guitar did Arcade Fire use on "The Suburbs"?
The guitar on "The Suburbs" (released 2010) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster 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 Suburbs" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6.5. 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 "The Suburbs" 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 Suburbs" 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 Suburbs" by Arcade Fire are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.