How to Dial In "Chickenshit Conformist" by Dead Kennedys - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Chickenshit Conformist"
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 Bedtime for Democracy (1986). Bedtime for Democracy is the fourth and final studio album by American punk rock band Dead Kennedys. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Dead Kennedys' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Chickenshit Conformist" Tone
What guitar did Dead Kennedys use on "Chickenshit Conformist"?
The guitar on "Chickenshit Conformist" (released 1986) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Chickenshit Conformist" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 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 "Chickenshit Conformist" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Chickenshit Conformist" 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 "Chickenshit Conformist" by Dead Kennedys are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.