How to Dial In "The Academy Award" by Franz Ferdinand - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Academy Award"
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 Always Ascending (2018). Always Ascending is the fifth studio album by Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand, released on 9 February 2018 by Domino. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Franz Ferdinand's other songs from Always Ascending, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "The Academy Award" Tone
What guitar did Franz Ferdinand use on "The Academy Award"?
The guitar on "The Academy Award" (released 2018) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "The Academy Award" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, 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 "The Academy Award" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Academy Award" 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 "The Academy Award" by Franz Ferdinand are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.