How to Dial In "What I Am" by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "What I Am"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
- GuitarGibson ES-335Suggested
- AmpFender Deluxe Reverb (Blackface)Suggested
- EffectEnvelope filterThe unit isn't documented · On the guitar solo
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 Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars (1988). Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, released on August 9, 1988, by Geffen Records. The song's Wikipedia article notes that its guitar solo features an envelope filter. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, a warm, lightly driven pop-rock pairing, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "What I Am" Tone
What guitar did Edie Brickell & New Bohemians use on "What I Am"?
The guitar on "What I Am" (released 1988) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "What I Am" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 4.5, Volume 5.5. 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 "What I Am" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "What I Am" 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 effects are on "What I Am"?
The recording has envelope filter on it. No source names the unit behind it, so this page doesn't guess one. ToneMirror maps each effect onto your rig - a pedal you own, your amp's own controls, or a block on a modeler - and says plainly when your rig can't make one.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "What I Am" by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.