Donner Arena 2000 settings
Mr. Brightside settings for Donner Arena 2000
The Killers · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Killers "Mr. Brightside" riff tone on a Donner Arena 2000, use the FD Twin amp model on the clean channel, then set Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 8, Presence 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-09-16
- Amp model
- FD Twin
- Channel
- Clean
- Cab
- Open back 2x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 5
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Original drive
- 5
Effects chain
- 1overdriveTube808Gain 3 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2modulationChorusMix 5 · Rate 5 · Depth 5
- 3reverbSpringMix 6 · Decay 5
Playing tips
- Use a light pick attack to maintain clarity in the riff.
- Incorporate slight palm muting for a punchier sound.
- Focus on consistent picking to keep the riff tight and rhythmic.
The original rig
What The Killers used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Donner Arena 2000 actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording)
- Amp
- Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources)
- Gain
- 4.5
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Mr. Brightside adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts The Killers's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the Donner Arena 2000 for Mr. Brightside?
Use the FD Twin (clean channel) with Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 8, Presence 6, followed by Tube808, Chorus, Spring.
Which pickup should I use for Mr. Brightside?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did The Killers use on Mr. Brightside?
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording). Amp: Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Mr. Brightside on other amps
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Mustang LT25 · 202
- Mr. Brightside on Boss Katana · 94
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 10G · 88
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 52
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Champion 20 · 42
- Mr. Brightside on Neural DSP Quad Cortex · 29
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 15G · 26
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 POD Go / POD Go Wireless · 24
Popular songs on the Donner Arena 2000
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.