How to Dial In "Mad World" by Tears for Fears - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Mad World"
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 The Hurting (1983). The Hurting is the debut studio album by the English pop rock band Tears for Fears, released on 7 March 1983 by Mercury Records, and distributed by Phonogram Inc. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Tears for Fears' other songs from The Hurting, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck and middle pickups together. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Mad World" Tone
What guitar did Tears for Fears use on "Mad World"?
The guitar on "Mad World" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Mad World" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 5.5. 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 "Mad World" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Mad World" 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 "Mad World" by Tears for Fears are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.