How to Dial In "What If" by Coldplay - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "What If"
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 X&Y (2005). A piano-led ballad with Jonny Buckland's guitar adding delay-drenched lines and swells around it. PMT Online describes Buckland as a Fender man, and The King of Gear notes he runs a Vox AC30 clean on its Normal channel, but nothing is documented for X&Y specifically, so a Telecaster into a Vox AC30 stands in. Keep the amp clean to just breaking up and let a delay do the work. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "What If" Tone
What guitar did Coldplay use on "What If"?
The guitar on "What If" (released 2005) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "What If" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "What If" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "What If" 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 "What If" by Coldplay are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.