How to Dial In "Painted Bird" by Siouxsie and the Banshees - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Painted Bird"
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 A Kiss in the Dreamhouse (1982). A Kiss in the Dreamhouse is the fifth studio album by the British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released on 5 November 1982 by Polydor Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Yamaha SG1000 through a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus, the rig we use for Siouxsie and the Banshees' other songs from A Kiss in the Dreamhouse, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Painted Bird" Tone
What guitar did Siouxsie and the Banshees use on "Painted Bird"?
The guitar on "Painted Bird" (released 1982) isn't documented; the Yamaha SG1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Painted Bird" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "Painted Bird" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Painted Bird" 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 "Painted Bird" by Siouxsie and the Banshees are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.