How to Dial In "Mary-Christ" by Sonic Youth - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Mary-Christ"
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 Goo (1990). Sonic Youth's guitarists play in altered tunings, so the open strings ring against each other. The rig on this recording isn't documented, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster into a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue stands in. Use a loud amp, clean to just breaking up, on the bridge pickup, and retune by ear to match the record. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Mary-Christ" Tone
What guitar did Sonic Youth use on "Mary-Christ"?
The guitar on "Mary-Christ" (released 1990) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Mary-Christ" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "Mary-Christ" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Mary-Christ" 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 "Mary-Christ" by Sonic Youth are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.