How to Dial In "Gardening at Night" by R.E.M. - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Gardening at Night"
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 Chronic Town (1982). A jangly, rolling track whose guitar line has an unusual, buzzy sitar-like edge. Mitch Easter's notes say Peter Buck played Easter's Danelectro electric sitar on Chronic Town, most prominently on Gardening at Night. The rig on this recording isn't documented, so a Danelectro Coral Electric Sitar into a Fender Silverface Twin Reverb stands in. Keep the amp clean, just on the edge of breakup, and play the bridge pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Gardening at Night" Tone
What guitar did R.E.M. use on "Gardening at Night"?
The guitar on "Gardening at Night" (released 1982) isn't documented; the Danelectro Coral Electric Sitar above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Gardening at Night" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, 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 "Gardening at Night" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Gardening at Night" 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 "Gardening at Night" by R.E.M. are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.