How to Dial In "Billy Spleen" by Sum 41 - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Billy Spleen"
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 Does This Look Infected? (2002). Does This Look Infected? is the second studio album by Canadian rock band Sum 41. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, the rig we use for Sum 41's other songs from Does This Look Infected?, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "Billy Spleen" Tone
What guitar did Sum 41 use on "Billy Spleen"?
The guitar on "Billy Spleen" (released 2002) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop D (D A D G B E), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Billy Spleen" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, 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 "Billy Spleen" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Billy Spleen" 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 "Billy Spleen" by Sum 41 are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.