How to Dial In "Dark/Light" by John Frusciante - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Dark/Light"
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 The Empyrean (2009). The Empyrean is the eighth solo album by American musician John Frusciante, released worldwide on January 20, 2009 through Record Collection. Frusciante told Vintage Guitar in 2009 that the guitars on The Empyrean were his three Stratocasters (a sunburst '62, a sunburst '55 or '57 and a red '61), with an all-mahogany Martin on acoustic parts, played through a Marshall Major and a Marshall Silver Jubilee, plus a Fender Bassman on a few things, with some of the recorded guitar then treated through a modular synthesizer. He does not tie that gear to this song, so a Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster through a Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555X stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Dark/Light" Tone
What guitar did John Frusciante use on "Dark/Light"?
The guitar on "Dark/Light" (released 2009) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Dark/Light" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, 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 "Dark/Light" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Dark/Light" 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 "Dark/Light" by John Frusciante are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.