How to Dial In "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand - Bass Tone Settings
What Franz Ferdinand Actually Used on "Take Me Out"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for an Ampeg SVT Classic + 8x10. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their bass configured for this take.
Two different bass parts in one song: fast, clipped driving eighths through the opening verses, then the famous gear-change into the slower, disco-leaning main riff where the bass opens up and leaves space around the beat. Bob Hardy plays with a pick (a custom 0.60mm) on medium-gauge roundwounds, so keep the attack clicky and the notes short and muted. The tempo shift was played live in the room rather than edited, so the transition has to be felt, not counted.
Common Questions About the "Take Me Out" Tone
What bass did Franz Ferdinand use on "Take Me Out"?
Franz Ferdinand tracked "Take Me Out" on a Rickenbacker 4001 (released 2004). Pickup selector: neck + bridge (position 3 / out-of-phase) on the bass. Tuned to standard (bass) (E A D G).
What amp settings does "Take Me Out" need?
On Ampeg SVT Classic + 8x10: Gain 4, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "Take Me Out" without an Ampeg SVT Classic + 8x10?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Take Me Out" 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 "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.