How to Dial In "Bad Dreams" by Teddy Swims - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Bad Dreams"
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 I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2) (2025). I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2) is the second half of the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Teddy Swims. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster through a Fender '64 Custom Princeton Reverb, the nearest rig we use for Teddy Swims' other songs, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Bad Dreams" Tone
What guitar did Teddy Swims use on "Bad Dreams"?
The guitar on "Bad Dreams" (released 2025) isn't documented; the Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Bad Dreams" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 5.5, Presence 4.5, Volume 3.5. 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 "Bad Dreams" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Bad Dreams" 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 "Bad Dreams" by Teddy Swims are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.