How to Dial In "On the Square" by Mac DeMarco - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "On the Square"
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 Here Comes the Cowboy (2019). A loose, laid-back song. Mac DeMarco has long played cheap Japanese vintage guitars such as Teisco models through small Fender amps, though nothing is documented for this recording. A Teisco Del Rey Spectrum 5 into a Fender Vibro Champ stands in. Keep the amp clean and the neck pickup on. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "On the Square" Tone
What guitar did Mac DeMarco use on "On the Square"?
The guitar on "On the Square" (released 2019) isn't documented; the Teisco Del Rey Spectrum 5 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "On the Square" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 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 "On the Square" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "On the Square" 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 "On the Square" by Mac DeMarco are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.