How to Dial In "Little Motel" by Modest Mouse - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Little Motel"
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 We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (2007). We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock band Modest Mouse, released on 20 March 2007 by Epic Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for Modest Mouse's other songs from We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Little Motel" Tone
What guitar did Modest Mouse use on "Little Motel"?
The guitar on "Little Motel" (released 2007) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Little Motel" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, 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 "Little Motel" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Little Motel" 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 "Little Motel" by Modest Mouse are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.