How to Dial In "Waste of Breath" by DIIV - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Waste of Breath"
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 Is the Is Are (2016). Is the Is Are is the second studio album by American indie rock band DIIV, released on February 5, 2016 on Captured Tracks. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for DIIV's other songs from Is the Is Are, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck+bridge pickups together.
Common Questions About the "Waste of Breath" Tone
What guitar did DIIV use on "Waste of Breath"?
The guitar on "Waste of Breath" (released 2016) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + bridge (position 3 / out-of-phase) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Waste of Breath" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 4, Treble 6, 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 "Waste of Breath" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Waste of Breath" 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 "Waste of Breath" by DIIV are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.