How to Dial In "Is This Desire?" by PJ Harvey - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Is This Desire?"
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 Is This Desire? (1998). Is This Desire? is the fourth studio album by the English musician PJ Harvey, released on 28 September 1998 by Island Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Flying V through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for PJ Harvey's other songs from Is This Desire?, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Is This Desire?" Tone
What guitar did PJ Harvey use on "Is This Desire?"?
The guitar on "Is This Desire?" (released 1998) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Is This Desire?" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 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 "Is This Desire?" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Is This Desire?" 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 "Is This Desire?" by PJ Harvey are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.