How to Dial In "Birdhouse in Your Soul" by They Might Be Giants - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Birdhouse in Your Soul"
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 Flood (1990). Flood is the third studio album by American alternative rock duo They Might Be Giants, released on January 15, 1990. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for They Might Be Giants' 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 "Birdhouse in Your Soul" Tone
What guitar did They Might Be Giants use on "Birdhouse in Your Soul"?
The guitar on "Birdhouse in Your Soul" (released 1990) 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 "Birdhouse in Your Soul" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 4.5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Birdhouse in Your Soul" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Birdhouse in Your Soul" 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 "Birdhouse in Your Soul" by They Might Be Giants are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.