How to Dial In "Little Trouble Girl" by Sonic Youth - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Little Trouble Girl"
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 Washing Machine (1995). A dreamy, slow-moving song with chiming guitars wrapped around layered vocals. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203 stands in. Use the neck pickup and set the amp clean and chiming. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Little Trouble Girl" Tone
What guitar did Sonic Youth use on "Little Trouble Girl"?
The guitar on "Little Trouble Girl" (released 1995) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Little Trouble Girl" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Little Trouble Girl" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Little Trouble Girl" 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 "Little Trouble Girl" by Sonic Youth are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.