How to Dial In "Divine Intervention" by Matthew Sweet - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Divine Intervention"
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 Girlfriend (1991). Girlfriend is the third studio album by American alternative rock musician Matthew Sweet, released on October 22, 1991, by Zoo Entertainment. Richard Lloyd played lead on this one, and Guitar.com reports that both Lloyd and Quine played Fender Stratocasters on the album through Vox and vintage Fender tube amps (Quine also used a SansAmp), but no source names the exact models, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Matthew Sweet's other songs from Girlfriend, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Divine Intervention" Tone
What guitar did Matthew Sweet use on "Divine Intervention"?
The guitar on "Divine Intervention" (released 1991) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Divine Intervention" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "Divine Intervention" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Divine Intervention" 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 "Divine Intervention" by Matthew Sweet are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.