How can I recreate the What You Know tone on my own amp?

Start from the reported guitar, pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order, then translate that target to your own equipment. ToneTwin models the controls for the amp and pedals you actually choose.

What You Know

Q: What gear was used for the What You Know guitar tone?

The available research points to Fender Telecaster Deluxe into Vox AC30. See the full signal chain and individual evidence notes on this page.

Q: What tuning is What You Know in?

The research record lists the tuning as Standard. Check the cited evidence and correction note if the recording has competing published accounts.

Two Door Cinema Club

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The recording

Recorded in 2009 with producer Eliot James, "What You Know" features two interlocking guitars. Alex Trimble’s part is played on a Fender Telecaster, capoed at the 9th fret and run through a light overdrive for a subtle edge. The signal is sent into a Vox AC30 tube amp set to its Top Boost channel, with a high‑treble, low‑bass EQ that gives the crisp, chiming texture that sits prominently in the mix. The song is performed in standard tuning and the guitars are panned wide to create a spacious, rhythmic drive.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B e)

Signal chain

Reported gear

Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Alex Trimble’s rhythm and lead parts were performed on a Fender Telecaster, capoed at the 9th fret to achieve the bright, jangly voicing heard throughout the track.

Vox AC30

Amp

The Telecaster signal was routed through a Vox AC30 tube amp, with its Top Boost channel engaged and a high‑treble, low‑bass EQ to produce the crisp, chimed tone that defines the song.

Alternatives

Squier Affinity Telecaster

Budget alternative · for the Fender Telecaster

$300 to $350

Vox AC15

Budget alternative · for the Vox AC30

$500 to $600

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1.Capo the guitar at the 9th fret to match the song’s chord voicings.
2.Set the Vox AC30’s Top Boost on and dial the bass low while boosting the treble for a bright, chime‑laden tone.
3.Use a light overdrive or clean boost, avoiding heavy gain to keep the articulation crisp.
4.Play the rhythm chords with tight down‑strokes for a punchy, percussive feel.

Sources

Amp Settings for What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club – Guitar Chalk What You Know (Two Door Cinema Club song) – Wikipedia What You Know Two Door Cinema Club backing track and tabs Two Door Cinema Club gear list – guitars, amps & pedals – Equipboard

Frequently asked questions

What gear was used for the What You Know guitar tone?

The available research points to Fender Telecaster into Vox AC30. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.

Are the original What You Know amp settings documented?

Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.

What tuning is What You Know in?

The current research record lists Standard (E A D G B e). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.

How do I recreate the What You Know tone on my own gear?

Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.

Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.