How to Dial In "Children in Bloom" by Counting Crows - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Children in Bloom"
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 Recovering the Satellites (1996). Recovering the Satellites is the second studio album by American alternative rock band Counting Crows, released on 15 October 1996 by Geffen. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Counting Crows' other songs from Recovering the Satellites, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Children in Bloom" Tone
What guitar did Counting Crows use on "Children in Bloom"?
The guitar on "Children in Bloom" (released 1996) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Children in Bloom" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Children in Bloom" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Children in Bloom" 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 "Children in Bloom" by Counting Crows are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.