How to Dial In "How to Save a Life" by The Fray - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "How to Save a Life"
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 How to Save a Life (2005). How to Save a Life is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band The Fray. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for The Fray's other songs from How to Save a Life, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "How to Save a Life" Tone
What guitar did The Fray use on "How to Save a Life"?
The guitar on "How to Save a Life" (released 2005) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II 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 "How to Save a Life" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, 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 "How to Save a Life" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "How to Save a Life" 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 "How to Save a Life" by The Fray are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.