How to Dial In "Black Cadillacs" by Modest Mouse - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Black Cadillacs"
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 Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004). Good News for People Who Love Bad News is the fourth studio album by American rock band Modest Mouse, released on 6 April 2004 by Epic Records. The album's personnel list credits Isaac Brock and Dann Gallucci with guitar. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for Modest Mouse's other songs from Good News for People Who Love Bad News, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Black Cadillacs" Tone
What guitar did Modest Mouse use on "Black Cadillacs"?
The guitar on "Black Cadillacs" (released 2004) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Black Cadillacs" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, 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 "Black Cadillacs" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Black Cadillacs" 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 "Black Cadillacs" by Modest Mouse are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.