How to Dial In "Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone" by Neutral Milk Hotel - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone"
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 On Avery Island (1996). On Avery Island is the debut studio album by American rock band Neutral Milk Hotel. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Danelectro '59 Shorthorn through a Fender '59 Bassman LTD Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Neutral Milk Hotel's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone" Tone
What guitar did Neutral Milk Hotel use on "Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone"?
The guitar on "Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone" (released 1996) isn't documented; the Danelectro '59 Shorthorn (Vintage Original) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, 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 "Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone" 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 "Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone" by Neutral Milk Hotel are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.