How to Dial In "Best Fake Smile" by James Bay - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Best Fake Smile"
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 Chaos and the Calm (2015). Chaos and the Calm is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter James Bay, released on 23 March 2015 by Republic. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an Epiphone Casino through a Fender Deluxe Reverb (Blackface), the rig we use for James Bay's other songs from Chaos and the Calm, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Best Fake Smile" Tone
What guitar did James Bay use on "Best Fake Smile"?
The guitar on "Best Fake Smile" (released 2015) isn't documented; the Epiphone Casino above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Best Fake Smile" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "Best Fake Smile" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Best Fake Smile" 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 "Best Fake Smile" by James Bay are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.