How to Dial In "Cheap and Cheerful" by The Kills - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Cheap and Cheerful"
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 Midnight Boom (2008). A raw, stomping garage-rock track driven by a gritty, distorted guitar riff. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Fender Player Jaguar through a Fender Champion 40 stands in. Set the amp at a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Cheap and Cheerful" Tone
What guitar did The Kills use on "Cheap and Cheerful"?
The guitar on "Cheap and Cheerful" (released 2008) isn't documented; the Fender Player Jaguar above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Cheap and Cheerful" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "Cheap and Cheerful" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Cheap and Cheerful" 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 "Cheap and Cheerful" by The Kills are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.