Tone library / The Killers / Mr. Brightside

Mr. Brightside amp settings — Walmart GA-20

The The Killers guitar tone for “Mr. Brightside”, dialed in for a Walmart GA-20 with a Starcaster Homemade. Studio version, Hot Fuss (2004) — iconic intro/verse arpeggio riff

Original rig

Fender Telecaster / Stratocaster into Vox AC30 Top Boost and Fender Hot Rod DeVille, Line 6 DL4, compression

Bright, chimey edge-of-breakup British jangle with compressed high-string clarity

Amp settings — Walmart GA-20

CHANNELClean channel (Drive switch OFF)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	4
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	7
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Compressor Pedal (e.g. MXR Dyna Comp)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Output 6 · Sensitivity 7

02Digital Delay (e.g. Boss DD-3 / DL4)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

E.Level 3 · F.Back 2 · D.Time 4

Why these settings

The Walmart GA-20 is a basic practice amp without presence or reverb knobs, so we push the clean channel gain to 4 to induce slight edge-of-breakup grit without getting muddy. The treble is set to 7 with mid at 6 to simulate the Vox AC30 Top Boost chime on a small solid-state speaker, while trimming bass to 4 prevents the 8-inch driver from farting out on the high-position arpeggio chord shapes. For the full-blown rock choruses, engage the amp's built-in drive switch.

PRO TIPDave Keuning plays the signature intro riff by holding a D-major base shape while fretting high pedal notes with the pinky, so let all six strings ring clearly and pick close to the bridge with a medium plectrum for authentic indie chime.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Walmart GA-20. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.