How to Dial In "Who Do You Want to Be" by Oingo Boingo - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Who Do You Want to Be"
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 for Your Soul (1983). Good for Your Soul is the third studio album by American new wave band Oingo Boingo, released in 1983 by A&M Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Oingo Boingo's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Who Do You Want to Be" Tone
What guitar did Oingo Boingo use on "Who Do You Want to Be"?
The guitar on "Who Do You Want to Be" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Who Do You Want to Be" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, 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 "Who Do You Want to Be" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Who Do You Want to Be" 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 "Who Do You Want to Be" by Oingo Boingo are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.