How to Dial In "What I Always Wanted" by Kittie - Guitar Tone Settings
What Kittie Actually Used on "What I Always Wanted"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Oracle (2001). Oracle is the second studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Kittie, released on November 12, 2001, by Artemis Records. The album's Wikipedia article, citing a 2001 Guitar World interview, says Morgan Lander recorded all of Oracle's guitar parts herself with her live equipment: a Gibson Flying V and a similarly shaped custom guitar through a Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier and occasionally an Egnater. It does not say which guitar or amp each song used, so the Gibson Flying V into the Triple Rectifier is used here. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop C (C G C F A D).
Common Questions About the "What I Always Wanted" Tone
What guitar did Kittie use on "What I Always Wanted"?
Kittie tracked "What I Always Wanted" on a Gibson Flying V (released 2001). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop C (C G C F A D), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "What I Always Wanted" need?
On Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier: Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 5, Presence 5, 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 "What I Always Wanted" without a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "What I Always Wanted" 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 "What I Always Wanted" by Kittie are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.