How to Dial In "Carl Barker" by Dance Gavin Dance - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Carl Barker"
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 Happiness (2009). Happiness is the third studio album by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance, released on June 9, 2009, on Rise Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an Ibanez RG1570 Prestige through a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, the rig we use for Dance Gavin Dance's other songs from Happiness, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "Carl Barker" Tone
What guitar did Dance Gavin Dance use on "Carl Barker"?
The guitar on "Carl Barker" (released 2009) isn't documented; the Ibanez RG1570 Prestige above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop D (D A D G B E), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Carl Barker" 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 "Carl Barker" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Carl Barker" 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 "Carl Barker" by Dance Gavin Dance are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.