How to Dial In "Press Play" by Stone Temple Pilots - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Press Play"
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 Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop (1996). Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop is a 1996 studio album by Stone Temple Pilots. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Stone Temple Pilots' other songs from Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Press Play" Tone
What guitar did Stone Temple Pilots use on "Press Play"?
The guitar on "Press Play" (released 1996) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Press Play" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 6, 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 "Press Play" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Press Play" 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 "Press Play" by Stone Temple Pilots are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.