How to Dial In "You Don't Know" by 13th Floor Elevators - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "You Don't Know"
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 The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966). The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators is the debut studio album by the American psychedelic rock band the 13th Floor Elevators. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson SG Standard through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for 13th Floor Elevators' other songs from The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "You Don't Know" Tone
What guitar did 13th Floor Elevators use on "You Don't Know"?
The guitar on "You Don't Know" (released 1966) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "You Don't Know" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 4.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 7.5. 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 "You Don't Know" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "You Don't Know" 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 "You Don't Know" by 13th Floor Elevators are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.