How to Dial In "Broken Home, Broken Heart" by Hüsker Dü - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Broken Home, Broken Heart"
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 Zen Arcade (1984). Zen Arcade is the second studio album by American punk rock band Hüsker Dü, released in July 1984 on SST Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Flying V through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Hüsker Dü's other songs from Zen Arcade, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Broken Home, Broken Heart" Tone
What guitar did Hüsker Dü use on "Broken Home, Broken Heart"?
The guitar on "Broken Home, Broken Heart" (released 1984) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Broken Home, Broken Heart" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 8. 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 "Broken Home, Broken Heart" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Broken Home, Broken Heart" 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 "Broken Home, Broken Heart" by Hüsker Dü are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.