Fables of the Reconstruction album cover - R.E.M.
Guitar tone settings

How to Dial In "Green Grow the Rushes" by R.E.M. - Guitar Tone Settings

The rig

Gear for "Green Grow the Rushes"

Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.

The settings

Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning

Amp settings

Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.

Gain4
Bass5
Mid6
Treble6.5
Presence6
Volume6

On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.

Get the settings for my amp
Guitar setup

How the artist had their guitar configured for this take.

TuningStandard(E A D G B E)
Pickup selector
NeckNk+MdMiddleBr+MdBridge
Guitar knobs
Tone9
Volume9
Recording notes

From Fables of the Reconstruction (1985). Fables of the Reconstruction (or Reconstruction of the Fables) is the third studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Rickenbacker 360 through a Fender Silverface Twin Reverb, the rig we use for R.E.M.'s other songs from Fables of the Reconstruction, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.

FAQ

Common Questions About the "Green Grow the Rushes" Tone

  1. What guitar did R.E.M. use on "Green Grow the Rushes"?

    The guitar on "Green Grow the Rushes" (released 1985) isn't documented; the Rickenbacker 360 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).

  2. What amp settings does "Green Grow the Rushes" need?

    Settings for this sound: 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.

  3. Can I play "Green Grow the Rushes" without the original gear?

    Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Green Grow the Rushes" 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.

Related tones

Tone references for "Green Grow the Rushes" by R.E.M. are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.

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