How to Dial In "Art for Art's Sake" by 10cc - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Art for Art's Sake"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From How Dare You! (1976). How Dare You! is the fourth studio album by the English band 10cc. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Vintera '60s Stratocaster through a Vox AC30 C2, the nearest rig we use for 10cc's other songs, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck pickup. Published transcriptions put it in D standard (D G C F A D), a whole step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Art for Art's Sake" Tone
What guitar did 10cc use on "Art for Art's Sake"?
The guitar on "Art for Art's Sake" (released 1976) isn't documented; the Fender Vintera '60s Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. The track is in D Standard (D G C F A D), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Art for Art's Sake" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 4. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Art for Art's Sake" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Art for Art's Sake" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Art for Art's Sake" by 10cc are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.