How to Dial In "Open Heart Surgery" by The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Open Heart Surgery"
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 Bravery, Repetition and Noise (2001). Bravery, Repetition and Noise is eighth studio album by American psychedelic rock band The Brian Jonestown Massacre, released on 16 October 2001 by Bomp!. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Rickenbacker 360 through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for The Brian Jonestown Massacre's other songs from Bravery, Repetition and Noise, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Open Heart Surgery" Tone
What guitar did The Brian Jonestown Massacre use on "Open Heart Surgery"?
The guitar on "Open Heart Surgery" (released 2001) isn't documented; the Rickenbacker 360 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Open Heart Surgery" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Open Heart Surgery" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Open Heart Surgery" 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
- EvergreenThe Brian Jonestown Massacre · 1995
- Going to HellThe Brian Jonestown Massacre · 1998
- Not If You Were The Last Dandy On EarthThe Brian Jonestown Massacre · 1997
- Reverberation (Doubt)13th Floor Elevators · 1966
- Slip Inside This House13th Floor Elevators · 1967
- You Don't Know13th Floor Elevators · 1966
Tone references for "Open Heart Surgery" by The Brian Jonestown Massacre are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.