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Fender Mustang 2 settings

Mr. Brightside settings for Fender Mustang 2

The Killers · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt

To get the The Killers "Mr. Brightside" riff tone on a Fender Mustang 2, select the '65 Twin Reverb preset, then set Gain 4.5, Bass 3, Treble 8, Reverb 5, Mod select 6, Dly rev select 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8 and volume on 8-9.

Riff settings

updated 2026-10-16

Preset / mode
'65 Twin Reverb
Pickup
Bridge pickup
Guitar knobs
Tone 8 · Volume 8-9

Fender Mustang 2 knobs

Gain
4.5
Bass
3
Treble
8
Reverb
5
Mod select
6
Dly rev select
1

Built-in effects

  • Chorus on
  • Reverb on (Spring) · 5

Playing tips

  • Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level to add depth and simulate the effect of the phrase being doubled.
  • Dial in reverb to enhance the spacious feel of the riff.
  • Pick with a light touch to maintain clarity and brightness in the tone.

The original rig

What The Killers used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang 2 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
Full Mr. Brightside tone breakdown, effects and sources →

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 preset should I use on the Fender Mustang 2 for Mr. Brightside?

Start from the '65 Twin Reverb preset, then set Gain 4.5, Bass 3, Treble 8, Reverb 5, Mod select 6, Dly rev select 1.

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.

Popular songs on the Fender Mustang 2

All 25 songs for the Fender Mustang 2 →

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.