How to Dial In "Love Is the Main Thing" by Fontaines D.C. - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Love Is the Main Thing"
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 A Hero's Death (2020). A slow, repetitive, hypnotic song. The only gear documentation for the band is the 2025 Premier Guitar rig rundown, five years after this record: Jazzmasters and a Jaguar through Fender Twin Reverbs set fairly flat. Nothing ties a specific guitar to this track, so a Jazzmaster into a Twin Reverb stands in. Set the amp clean with light breakup and play both pickups. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Love Is the Main Thing" Tone
What guitar did Fontaines D.C. use on "Love Is the Main Thing"?
The guitar on "Love Is the Main Thing" (released 2020) 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 "Love Is the Main Thing" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, 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 "Love Is the Main Thing" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Love Is the Main Thing" 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 "Love Is the Main Thing" by Fontaines D.C. are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.