How to Dial In "Contact" by Big Thief - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Contact"
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.
A track on U.F.O.F., released in May 2019 on 4AD and recorded in Washington state with producer Andrew Sarlo. The song starts quietly and builds into a noisy, cathartic ending, with Buck Meek's guitar and Adrianne Lenker's guitar and vocal pushing the band into a loud, distorted climax. No source available here confirms the exact guitars and amps on this recording, so a Telecaster through a Deluxe Reverb pushed into breakup stands in. Use the bridge pickup and a clean tone that breaks up as you dig in.
Common Questions About the "Contact" Tone
What guitar did Big Thief use on "Contact"?
The guitar on "Contact" (released 2019) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Contact" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 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 "Contact" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Contact" 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 "Contact" by Big Thief are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.