How to Dial In "Distopian Dream Girl" by Built to Spill - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Distopian Dream Girl"
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 There's Nothing Wrong with Love (1994). There's Nothing Wrong with Love is the second studio album released by American indie rock band Built to Spill. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Built to Spill's other songs from There's Nothing Wrong with Love, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Distopian Dream Girl" Tone
What guitar did Built to Spill use on "Distopian Dream Girl"?
The guitar on "Distopian Dream Girl" (released 1994) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Distopian Dream Girl" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "Distopian Dream Girl" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Distopian Dream Girl" 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 "Distopian Dream Girl" by Built to Spill are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.