How to Dial In "Better Open the Door" by Motion City Soundtrack - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Better Open the Door"
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 Commit This to Memory (2005). Commit This to Memory is the second studio album by American rock band Motion City Soundtrack, released on 7 June 2005 by Epitaph. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Player II Jazzmaster through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV, the rig we use for Motion City Soundtrack's other songs from Commit This to Memory, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Better Open the Door" Tone
What guitar did Motion City Soundtrack use on "Better Open the Door"?
The guitar on "Better Open the Door" (released 2005) isn't documented; the Fender Player II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Better Open the Door" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, 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 "Better Open the Door" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Better Open the Door" 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 "Better Open the Door" by Motion City Soundtrack are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.