How to Dial In "Car Underwater" by Armor for Sleep - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Car Underwater"
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 What to Do When You Are Dead (2005). What to Do When You Are Dead is the second studio album by American rock band Armor for Sleep. Wikipedia's article on the album says guitarist PJ Decicco used a Gibson Les Paul Custom for the main rhythm tracking, and that Bogner Ecstasy and Marshall JCM800 amplifiers were used for most of the rhythm sections, but no source we found ties a guitar or amp to this song, so a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a Marshall JCM800 2203 stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "Car Underwater" Tone
What guitar did Armor for Sleep use on "Car Underwater"?
The guitar on "Car Underwater" (released 2005) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Custom above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop D (D A D G B E), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Car Underwater" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "Car Underwater" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Car Underwater" 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 "Car Underwater" by Armor for Sleep are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.