🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get Deftones's guitar tone

Deftones across 12 famous tones — mostly through Fractal Axe-Fx II, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II, Marshall JMP-1 MIDI Preamp into Marshall EL34 100/100 Power Amp, with active humbuckers. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 7.5 · bass 6 · mid 5 · treble 6.5 · presence 5.5 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get Deftones's tones on YOUR rig — free →

Deftones's go-to amps

Fractal Axe-Fx II ×2Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier ×1Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II ×1Marshall JMP-1 MIDI Preamp into Marshall EL34 100/100 Power Amp ×1

12 famous Deftones tones

Passenger
gain 8.5 · bass 6 · mid 4.5 · treble 6.5
Minerva
gain 8.5 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6.5
Sleep Walk
gain 8.5 · bass 6.5 · mid 3 · treble 6
Kimdracula
gain 8.5 · bass 6 · mid 4.5 · treble 6.5
Pink Maggit
gain 8.5 · bass 6 · mid 4.5 · treble 6.5
Battle-Axe
gain 8.5 · bass 6 · mid 4.5 · treble 6.5
My Own Summer (Shove It)
gain 8 · bass 6.5 · mid 3.5 · treble 6
Diamond Eyes
gain 8 · bass 6 · mid 5 · treble 6.5
Entombed
gain 8 · bass 6 · mid 5 · treble 6.5
Hole In the Earth
gain 8 · bass 6 · mid 5 · treble 6.5
Digital Bath
gain 7 · bass 6 · mid 5.5 · treble 6.5
Change (In the House of Flies)
gain 0 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6.5

Metal amp settings

Deftones is a metal staple. See the best amp settings for metal — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

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How to get Deftones's tone — FAQ

What amp settings does Deftones use?

Averaged across 12 of their tones: gain 7.5, bass 6, mid 5, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like Deftones?

They favour Fractal Axe-Fx II, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II, Marshall JMP-1 MIDI Preamp into Marshall EL34 100/100 Power Amp with active humbuckers. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get Deftones's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Fractal Axe-Fx II, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II, Marshall JMP-1 MIDI Preamp into Marshall EL34 100/100 Power Amp and active humbuckers) and a starting EQ of gain 7.5, bass 6, mid 5, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 12 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get Deftones's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · all 1,200+ tones.