How to Dial In "Happy Death Men" by Echo & the Bunnymen - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Happy Death Men"
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 Crocodiles (1980). Crocodiles is the debut studio album by the English post-punk band Echo & the Bunnymen, released in 1980 on Korova. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gretsch G6136T White Falcon through a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus, the rig we use for Echo & the Bunnymen's other songs from Crocodiles, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Happy Death Men" Tone
What guitar did Echo & the Bunnymen use on "Happy Death Men"?
The guitar on "Happy Death Men" (released 1980) isn't documented; the Gretsch G6136T White Falcon above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Happy Death Men" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, 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 "Happy Death Men" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Happy Death Men" 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 "Happy Death Men" by Echo & the Bunnymen are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.