How to Dial In "Uncertain Smile" by The The - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Uncertain Smile"
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 Soul Mining (1983). Soul Mining is the debut studio album by the English post-punk and synth-pop band the The. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, a driven post-punk pairing, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Uncertain Smile" Tone
What guitar did The The use on "Uncertain Smile"?
The guitar on "Uncertain Smile" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Uncertain Smile" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 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 "Uncertain Smile" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Uncertain Smile" 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 "Uncertain Smile" by The The are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.