How to Dial In "Anxiety" by IDLES - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Anxiety"
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 Ultra Mono (2020). Ultra Mono is the third studio album by British rock band Idles, released on 25 September 2020 by Partisan Records. Premier Guitar's feature on the album says Lee Kiernan's main rig was a 100-watt Marshall Super Lead plexi reissue and a 100-watt JCM800 2203 into two 2x12 cabinets, run as loud as possible with the JCM800's gain turned back a little, and that he played a Fender Baja Telecaster with a Bare Knuckle bridge pickup. Mark Bowen's key guitars were an Electrical Guitar Company EGC 500, a 1972 Stratocaster and a Fender Bajo Sexto Telecaster. The feature does not tie any of it to this song, so the JCM800 2203 with a Fender Classic Player Baja '60s Telecaster is the closest listed match. Set the amp loud with moderate gain and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Anxiety" Tone
What guitar did IDLES use on "Anxiety"?
The original guitar for "Anxiety" isn't conclusively documented. The settings on this page are calibrated to the recorded tone regardless of which specific guitar you play.
What amp settings does "Anxiety" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 7, 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 "Anxiety" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Anxiety" 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 "Anxiety" by IDLES are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.