How to Dial In "Shades of Man" by Khruangbin - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Shades of Man"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
- GuitarFender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster (AVRI Reissue)Suggested
- EffectReverbThe unit isn't documented
- EffectDelayThe unit 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.
A track from Con Todo El Mundo, Khruangbin's second album, released on 26 January 2018. The Houston trio's guitarist Mark Speer builds the band's sound around clean, reverb-soaked single-note lines over a dub-style rhythm section. The sources available here don't name his guitar or amp, so the rig is a suggestion. Use a clean neck-pickup Stratocaster-style tone with plenty of spring reverb and a touch of delay, and keep the notes light and spacious. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "Shades of Man" Tone
What guitar did Khruangbin use on "Shades of Man"?
The guitar on "Shades of Man" (released 2018) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Shades of Man" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "Shades of Man" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Shades of Man" 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.
What effects are on "Shades of Man"?
The recording has reverb and delay on it. No source names the unit behind them, so this page doesn't guess one. ToneMirror maps each effect onto your rig - a pedal you own, your amp's own controls, or a block on a modeler - and says plainly when your rig can't make one.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Shades of Man" by Khruangbin are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.