How to Dial In "Back of Your Head" by Balance and Composure - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Back of Your Head"
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 Things We Think We're Missing (2013). The Things We Think We're Missing is the second studio album by American band Balance and Composure, released on September 9, 2013. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Player Jaguar through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Balance and Composure's other songs from The Things We Think We're Missing, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Back of Your Head" Tone
What guitar did Balance and Composure use on "Back of Your Head"?
The guitar on "Back of Your Head" (released 2013) isn't documented; the Fender Player Jaguar above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Back of Your Head" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "Back of Your Head" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Back of Your Head" 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 "Back of Your Head" by Balance and Composure are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.