How to Dial In "I Wanna Be a Bear" by Descendents - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Wanna Be a Bear"
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 Milo Goes to College (1982). Milo Goes to College is the debut studio album by the American punk rock band Descendents, released on September 4, 1982, through New Alliance Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Standard Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Descendents' other songs from Milo Goes to College, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "I Wanna Be a Bear" Tone
What guitar did Descendents use on "I Wanna Be a Bear"?
The guitar on "I Wanna Be a Bear" (released 1982) isn't documented; the Fender Standard 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 "I Wanna Be a Bear" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, 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 "I Wanna Be a Bear" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "I Wanna Be a Bear" 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 "I Wanna Be a Bear" by Descendents are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.