Alternative2008Only by the Night

Sex on Fire Amp Settings

by Kings of Leon

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Original Recording Settings

partially-sourcedResearched tone data for "Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon

Original Gear

Guitar: Semi-hollow electric guitar (exact model per guitarist not documented in sources consulted)
Pickups: Semi-hollow electric pickups (exact type/model not documented in sources consulted) (bridge)
Amplifier: Selmer TruVoice Treble-N-Bass Fifty (reported used on the album, specifically cited for "Sex on Fire" via producer interview references)
Channel: Driven clean-to-crunch (amp pushed; recording chain includes studio EQ/delay processing)
Tuning: standard
Pickup Selector: bridge
Strings: Unknown

Sound On Sound excerpted material describes multi-amp selection and a two-amp-per-performance approach, with SM57 on one amp and U67 on the other, through API mic pres and API 550A EQ; synth-like guitar reverb noted as Eventide DSP4000; delay/reverbs (including EchoBoy/Altiverb) appear in the track’s processing.

Amp Settings

Gain

6.0

Bass

5.0

Mid

6.0

Treble

6.0

Volume

6.0

Exact amp knob settings are not included in the cited sources; values aim for crunchy-but-clear indie-rock drive that stays articulate for the riff while leaving space for vocals.

Effects Chain

→

Soundtoys EchoBoy (studio delay)

delay

→

Urei/UA Cooper Time Cube Model 920-16 (short ‘early reflection’/delay texture; studio processor)

delay

→

Eventide DSP4000 (synth-like reverb; studio processor)

reverb

→

Audio Ease Altiverb (studio convolution reverb)

reverb

→

1.Soundtoys EchoBoy (studio delay) — Referenced in the cited mixing/processing discussion for guitar sections (choruses).

2.Urei/UA Cooper Time Cube Model 920-16 (short ‘early reflection’/delay texture; studio processor) — Referenced as a notable processing element and radical EQ move on the delayed guitar texture in the cited excerpted material.

3.Eventide DSP4000 (synth-like reverb; studio processor) — Referenced as the source of a synth-like reverb on guitars at Blackbird, added during transfer.

4.Audio Ease Altiverb (studio convolution reverb) — Referenced as part of the guitar space/ambience chain.

Playing Technique

Riff is tight and percussive: consistent downstrokes with controlled muting so the groove drives without flub. Keep gain responsive to pick strength; let choruses open dynamically rather than adding excessive layers. Note separation matters more than saturation.

Sources+

Wikipedia, "Sex on Fire" (single metadata; studio listed as Blackbird)
Sound On Sound (excerpted in search snippet), "Inside Track: Kings Of Leon 'Sex On Fire'" (quotes on guitar amp/mic approach, API pres/EQ, Eventide DSP4000, EchoBoy, etc.)
The Cutting Edge of Music (2015), repost/summary of the Jacquire King Sound On Sound material (includes extended quoted passages on guitars/vocals chain)