How to Dial In "The Hills" by The Weeknd - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Hills"
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 Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). Beauty Behind the Madness is the second studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for The Weeknd's other songs, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Hills" Tone
What guitar did The Weeknd use on "The Hills"?
The guitar on "The Hills" (released 2015) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The Hills" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, 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 "The Hills" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Hills" 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 "The Hills" by The Weeknd are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.