How to Dial In "Big Mess" by Devo - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Big Mess"
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 Oh, No! It's Devo (1982). Oh, No! It's Devo is the fifth studio album by American new wave band Devo, released on 27 October 1982 by Warner Bros. Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus, the nearest rig we use for Devo's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Big Mess" Tone
What guitar did Devo use on "Big Mess"?
The guitar on "Big Mess" (released 1982) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Custom above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Big Mess" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Big Mess" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Big Mess" 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 "Big Mess" by Devo are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.