How to Dial In "Message Man" by Twenty One Pilots - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Message Man"
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 Blurryface (2015). Blurryface is the fourth studio album by the American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Twenty One Pilots' other songs from Blurryface, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Message Man" Tone
What guitar did Twenty One Pilots use on "Message Man"?
The guitar on "Message Man" (released 2015) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Message Man" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 5.5, Presence 5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Message Man" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Message Man" 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 "Message Man" by Twenty One Pilots are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.