How to Dial In "Boss of Me" by They Might Be Giants - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Boss of Me"
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 Mink Car (2001). Mink Car is the eighth studio album by American alternative rock band They Might Be Giants, released on September 11, 2001, on the Restless Records label. 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, a jangly clean-to-light-crunch indie pairing, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Boss of Me" Tone
What guitar did They Might Be Giants use on "Boss of Me"?
The guitar on "Boss of Me" (released 2001) 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 "Boss of Me" 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 "Boss of Me" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Boss of Me" 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 "Boss of Me" by They Might Be Giants are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.