How to Dial In "Date w/ IKEA" by Pavement - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Date w/ IKEA"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for an Orange OR120 (Vintage). On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Brighten the Corners (1997). A bouncy, jangly indie-rock song with a bright, lightly overdriven guitar. Guitar World's Stephen Malkmus interview traces a 1960s Fender Jazzmaster to the Brighten the Corners era, and has an Orange OR120 as his amp in the later Pavement years. That period setup is dialled in here, though nothing ties it to this song alone: a Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster into an Orange OR120 (Vintage). Set a light-to-medium crunch on the bridge pickup and dig in harder for the louder sections. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Date w/ IKEA" Tone
What guitar did Pavement use on "Date w/ IKEA"?
Pavement tracked "Date w/ IKEA" on a Jazzmaster (released 1997). The Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Date w/ IKEA" need?
On Orange OR120 (Vintage): Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, 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 "Date w/ IKEA" without an Orange OR120 (Vintage)?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Date w/ IKEA" 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 "Date w/ IKEA" by Pavement are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.