How to Dial In "Dirty Blue Balloons" by Failure - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Dirty Blue Balloons"
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 Fantastic Planet (1996). Fantastic Planet is the third album by the American alternative rock band Failure, released on August 13, 1996, by Slash Records and Warner Bros. Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Failure's other songs from Fantastic Planet, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Dirty Blue Balloons" Tone
What guitar did Failure use on "Dirty Blue Balloons"?
The guitar on "Dirty Blue Balloons" (released 1996) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Dirty Blue Balloons" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 6, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "Dirty Blue Balloons" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Dirty Blue Balloons" 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 "Dirty Blue Balloons" by Failure are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.