How to Dial In "Bad Call" by The Hives - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Bad Call"
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 Hives Forever Forever The Hives (2025). A short, punchy garage-rock song with raw, crunchy guitars. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue stands in. Set the amp at a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Bad Call" Tone
What guitar did The Hives use on "Bad Call"?
The guitar on "Bad Call" (released 2025) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Bad Call" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 4.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "Bad Call" 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 Call" 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 Call" by The Hives are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.