How to Dial In "A Smart Kid" by Porcupine Tree - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "A Smart Kid"
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 Stupid Dream (1999). Stupid Dream is the fifth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a PRS Custom 24 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Porcupine Tree's other songs from Stupid Dream, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "A Smart Kid" Tone
What guitar did Porcupine Tree use on "A Smart Kid"?
The guitar on "A Smart Kid" (released 1999) isn't documented; the PRS Custom 24 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "A Smart Kid" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "A Smart Kid" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "A Smart Kid" 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 "A Smart Kid" by Porcupine Tree are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.