How to Dial In "An Idea for a Movie" by The Vandals - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "An Idea for a Movie"
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 Hitler Bad, Vandals Good (1998). Hitler Bad, Vandals Good is the seventh studio album by the southern California punk rock band The Vandals, released in 1998 by Nitro Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson SG Standard through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for The Vandals' other songs from Hitler Bad, Vandals Good, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "An Idea for a Movie" Tone
What guitar did The Vandals use on "An Idea for a Movie"?
The guitar on "An Idea for a Movie" (released 1998) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "An Idea for a Movie" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7.5. 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 "An Idea for a Movie" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "An Idea for a Movie" 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 "An Idea for a Movie" by The Vandals are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.