How to Dial In "The Set Up (You Need This)" by Reel Big Fish - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Set Up (You Need This)"
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 Why Do They Rock So Hard? (1998). Why Do They Rock So Hard? is the third full-length studio album by the ska punk band Reel Big Fish, released on October 20, 1998, under Mojo Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Player Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM900 2100 SL-X, the nearest rig we use for Reel Big Fish's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Set Up (You Need This)" Tone
What guitar did Reel Big Fish use on "The Set Up (You Need This)"?
The guitar on "The Set Up (You Need This)" (released 1998) isn't documented; the Fender Player Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The Set Up (You Need This)" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 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 "The Set Up (You Need This)" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Set Up (You Need This)" 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 "The Set Up (You Need This)" by Reel Big Fish are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.