How to Dial In "Three Years Ago Today" by Built to Spill - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Three Years Ago Today"
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 Ultimate Alternative Wavers (1993). Ultimate Alternative Wavers is the debut studio album 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 nearest rig we use for Built to Spill's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Three Years Ago Today" Tone
What guitar did Built to Spill use on "Three Years Ago Today"?
The guitar on "Three Years Ago Today" (released 1993) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Three Years Ago Today" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, 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 "Three Years Ago Today" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Three Years Ago Today" 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 "Three Years Ago Today" by Built to Spill are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.