How to Dial In "About Today" by The National - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "About Today"
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 Cherry Tree (2004). A slow, hushed song with a delicate, clean guitar line and gently swelling chords. Premier Guitar has Bryce Dessner's main electrics as a 1963 Fender Jaguar and an early-1970s Les Paul Deluxe, with vintage Fender valve amps shared between the brothers, in a piece that focuses on later albums. No source documents the guitar or amp on this track, so a Fender Player Jaguar into a Fender Deluxe Reverb (Blackface) stands in. Keep the amp clean, just on the edge of breakup, and play the neck pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "About Today" Tone
What guitar did The National use on "About Today"?
The guitar on "About Today" (released 2004) isn't documented; the Fender Player Jaguar above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "About Today" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, 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 "About Today" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "About Today" 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 "About Today" by The National are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.