How to Dial In "Monkey 23" by The Kills - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Monkey 23"
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 Keep on Your Mean Side (2003). Keep on Your Mean Side is the debut album by UK based indie rock band The Kills. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Standard Telecaster through a Fender Deluxe Reverb (Blackface), the rig we use for The Kills' other songs from Keep on Your Mean Side, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Monkey 23" Tone
What guitar did The Kills use on "Monkey 23"?
The guitar on "Monkey 23" (released 2003) isn't documented; the Fender Standard Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Monkey 23" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "Monkey 23" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Monkey 23" 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 "Monkey 23" by The Kills are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.