Tone Settings for Shake It Out by Florence + The Machine (guitar and amp)

1. Volume

• Set guitar volume to around 7–8 for dynamics and headroom.
• Use amp volume for overall loudness control rather than maxing out the guitar’s volume knob.
• Allows for expressive picking and cleaner articulation during verses.

2. Tone

• Roll off tone slightly to around 6–7 for a warmer, rounded edge on chords.
• Keep highs present enough to cut through the mix without sounding harsh.
• Consider using light chorus or reverb effects for atmospheric texture.

3. Pickup Selector

• Use the middle pickup position if using a three-way selector for a balanced tone.
• If no middle, use neck pickup for warmth and fullness during chordal parts.
• Bridge pickup can be used for added clarity in lead-style arpeggios or picking sections.

4. Humbucker or Single Coil Preferred?

• Humbuckers preferred for their fuller, smoother tone and reduced noise.
• Ideal for the lush, resonant texture heard in the studio version of the song.
• Single coils can work if bright tones are carefully EQ’d and effects are used to fill out the sound.

5. Ideal Guitar Type

• Electric Jazzmaster-style guitar is ideal due to its warm, articulate, and slightly jangly tone.
• Vintage-style Jazzmasters with humbuckers or wide single coils offer great dynamic range and chord clarity.
• Floating tremolo and resonance of Jazzmaster guitars add to the dreamy, sustained quality of the tone in the track.

• Fender Telecaster: Delivers bright, articulate tones ideal for indie rock rhythm work
• Vox AC30 Amp: Classic chime and breakup that suits the song’s atmospheric texture
• Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb: Adds the lush ambient reverb prominent in the track
• Strymon El Capistan: Tape-style delay for spacious, textured layering
• JHS Morning Glory Overdrive: Smooth transparent overdrive for dynamic swells
• TC Electronic Ditto Looper: Useful for building looped guitar textures live
• Ernie Ball Volume Pedal: Allows dynamic volume swells and ambient fade-ins

• Use a bright, focused vocal tone to match the original’s emotional intensity.
• Maintain consistent breath support for sustained phrases and dynamic shifts.
• Avoid excessive vibrato; use straight tone selectively for clarity and power.
• Support chest voice on lower verses to create contrast with lifted choruses.
• Engage mixed voice strategically in the chorus for blend and power without strain.
• Add subtle grit or rasp in higher dynamics to reflect the song’s raw emotion.
• Balance resonance in mask and pharynx for a full, forward tone.
• Use clear diction to preserve lyrical meaning and emotional impact.
• Employ gradual dynamic build throughout verses to highlight the song’s arc.
• Keep tone centered and avoid scooping into pitches to preserve precision.