How to Dial In "Alternative Girlfriend" by Barenaked Ladies - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Alternative Girlfriend"
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 Maybe You Should Drive (1994). Maybe You Should Drive is the second studio album by Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies, released on 16 August 1994 through Reprise Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, the rig we use for Barenaked Ladies' other songs from Maybe You Should Drive, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Alternative Girlfriend" Tone
What guitar did Barenaked Ladies use on "Alternative Girlfriend"?
The guitar on "Alternative Girlfriend" (released 1994) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Alternative Girlfriend" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, 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 "Alternative Girlfriend" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Alternative Girlfriend" 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 "Alternative Girlfriend" by Barenaked Ladies are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.