How to Dial In "Ashes of American Flags" by Wilco - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Ashes of American Flags"
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 Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002). A slow, bruised song with a clean, murky guitar part that bursts into a noisy, distorted solo. Nels Cline joined in 2004, after Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, so the album predates the rig that Premier Guitar documents. Nothing published ties a rig to this song, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster into a Fender Deluxe Reverb (Blackface) stands in. Keep the amp clean, just on the edge of breakup, and play the neck pickup. The rest of the album is in standard tuning, so that is assumed here.
Common Questions About the "Ashes of American Flags" Tone
What guitar did Wilco use on "Ashes of American Flags"?
The guitar on "Ashes of American Flags" (released 2002) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Ashes of American Flags" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Volume 4.5. 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 "Ashes of American Flags" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Ashes of American Flags" 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.
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Tone references for "Ashes of American Flags" by Wilco are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.