How to Dial In "Several Ways to Die Trying" by Dashboard Confessional - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Several Ways to Die Trying"
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 A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar (2003). A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar is the third studio album by American rock band Dashboard Confessional, released in 2003 through Vagrant Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson SG Standard through a Marshall JCM900 4100 Dual Reverb, the rig we use for Dashboard Confessional's other songs from A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Several Ways to Die Trying" Tone
What guitar did Dashboard Confessional use on "Several Ways to Die Trying"?
The guitar on "Several Ways to Die Trying" (released 2003) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Several Ways to Die Trying" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 5.5, Presence 5, 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 "Several Ways to Die Trying" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Several Ways to Die Trying" 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 "Several Ways to Die Trying" by Dashboard Confessional are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.