How to Dial In "Thug City" by Dance Gavin Dance - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Thug City"
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 Downtown Battle Mountain II (2011). Downtown Battle Mountain II is the fourth studio album by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance, released on March 8, 2011, on Rise Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an Ibanez AZ2402 Prestige through a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, the rig we use for Dance Gavin Dance's other songs from Downtown Battle Mountain II, 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 "Thug City" Tone
What guitar did Dance Gavin Dance use on "Thug City"?
The guitar on "Thug City" (released 2011) isn't documented; the Ibanez AZ2402 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 "Thug City" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 5.5, 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 "Thug City" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Thug City" 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 "Thug City" by Dance Gavin Dance are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.