How to Dial In "You Are a Tourist" by Death Cab for Cutie - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "You Are a Tourist"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
Chris Walla's chiming, chorused Jaguar tone that builds from a clean verse into a driven, anthemic chorus.
Common Questions About the "You Are a Tourist" Tone
What guitar did Death Cab for Cutie use on "You Are a Tourist"?
Death Cab for Cutie tracked "You Are a Tourist" on a Jaguar (released 2011). The Fender Player Jaguar named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "You Are a Tourist" need?
On Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, 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 "You Are a Tourist" without a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "You Are a Tourist" 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.
What pedals are on "You Are a Tourist"?
The original signal chain for "You Are a Tourist" runs through a CE-2. The Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus named above is a modern equivalent - it came out after the record. Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "You Are a Tourist" by Death Cab for Cutie are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.