How to Dial In "Backwards Down the Number Line" by Phish - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Backwards Down the Number Line"
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 Joy (2009). Joy is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band Phish, released on September 8, 2009, on the band's own label, JEMP Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a PRS Hollowbody II through a Mesa Boogie Mark III, the rig we use for Phish's other songs from Joy, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Backwards Down the Number Line" Tone
What guitar did Phish use on "Backwards Down the Number Line"?
The guitar on "Backwards Down the Number Line" (released 2009) isn't documented; the PRS Hollowbody II above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Backwards Down the Number Line" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, 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 "Backwards Down the Number Line" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Backwards Down the Number Line" 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 "Backwards Down the Number Line" by Phish are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.