How to Dial In "From a Motel 6" by Yo La Tengo - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "From a Motel 6"
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 Painful (1993). Painful is the sixth studio album by American indie rock band Yo La Tengo, released in 1993 by record label Matador, their first for the label. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster through a Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb, the rig we use for Yo La Tengo's other songs from Painful, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "From a Motel 6" Tone
What guitar did Yo La Tengo use on "From a Motel 6"?
The guitar on "From a Motel 6" (released 1993) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '62 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 "From a Motel 6" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "From a Motel 6" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "From a Motel 6" 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 "From a Motel 6" by Yo La Tengo are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.