How to Dial In "Springtime in Vienna" by The Tragically Hip - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Springtime in Vienna"
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 Trouble at the Henhouse (1996). A driving roots-rock song with overdriven guitar. Gear pages list Rob Baker on a Reverend Jetstream and Paul Langlois on a Les Paul Custom, but those describe a later rig and no source available here documents the guitars or amps for the band's 1990s records. So a Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster through a Mesa Boogie Mark IV stands in. Set the amp clean and use the middle pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Springtime in Vienna" Tone
What guitar did The Tragically Hip use on "Springtime in Vienna"?
The guitar on "Springtime in Vienna" (released 1996) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Springtime in Vienna" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 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 "Springtime in Vienna" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Springtime in Vienna" 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 "Springtime in Vienna" by The Tragically Hip are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.