How to Dial In "These Important Years" by Hüsker Dü - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "These Important Years"
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 Warehouse: Songs and Stories (1987). Warehouse: Songs and Stories is the sixth and final studio album by American punk rock band Hüsker Dü, released by Warner Bros. Records on January 19, 1987, as a double album on two vinyl LPs. 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 Warehouse: Songs and Stories, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "These Important Years" Tone
What guitar did Hüsker Dü use on "These Important Years"?
The guitar on "These Important Years" (released 1987) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "These Important Years" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, 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 "These Important Years" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "These Important Years" 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 "These Important Years" by Hüsker Dü are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.