How to Dial In "Pursuit of Happiness" by Kid Cudi - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Pursuit of Happiness"
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 Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009). Man on the Moon: The End of Day is the debut studio album by the American rapper Kid Cudi. The song's Wikipedia article credits Mike Stroud of Ratatat on guitar. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, a jangly clean-to-light-crunch indie pairing, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Pursuit of Happiness" Tone
What guitar did Kid Cudi use on "Pursuit of Happiness"?
The guitar on "Pursuit of Happiness" (released 2009) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Pursuit of Happiness" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 4.5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Pursuit of Happiness" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Pursuit of Happiness" 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.
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Tone references for "Pursuit of Happiness" by Kid Cudi are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.