How to Dial In "For What Reason" by Death Cab for Cutie - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "For What Reason"
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 We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes (2000). We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes is the second studio album by American rock band Death Cab for Cutie. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Player Mustang through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for Death Cab for Cutie's other songs from We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "For What Reason" Tone
What guitar did Death Cab for Cutie use on "For What Reason"?
The guitar on "For What Reason" (released 2000) isn't documented; the Fender Player Mustang above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "For What Reason" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "For What Reason" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "For What Reason" 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 "For What Reason" by Death Cab for Cutie are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.