How to Dial In "Imperial Joy" by Rival Sons - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Imperial Joy"
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 Feral Roots (2019). Feral Roots is the sixth studio album by American rock band Rival Sons. Guitarist Scott Holiday told Guitar.com that his two main guitars on the album were a Doug Kauer Super Chief, an offset take on a 335-style semi-hollow, and a Gretsch Custom Shop Penguin built by Stephen Stern, and that a new Supro Statesman was the amp he used on almost everything, with a Supro 1600 Supreme and an old small Supro also in the room. He does not say which guitar or amp is on this song, so the Kauer Super Chief through the Supro Statesman is the closest listed match. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Imperial Joy" Tone
What guitar did Rival Sons use on "Imperial Joy"?
The original guitar for "Imperial Joy" isn't conclusively documented. The settings on this page are calibrated to the recorded tone regardless of which specific guitar you play.
What amp settings does "Imperial Joy" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 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 "Imperial Joy" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Imperial Joy" 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 "Imperial Joy" by Rival Sons are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.