How to Dial In "Stay on These Roads" by a-ha - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Stay on These Roads"
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 Stay on These Roads (1988). Stay on These Roads is the third studio album by Norwegian synth-pop band a-ha, released on 3 May 1988 by Warner Bros. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for a-ha's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Stay on These Roads" Tone
What guitar did a-ha use on "Stay on These Roads"?
The guitar on "Stay on These Roads" (released 1988) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Stay on These Roads" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "Stay on These Roads" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Stay on These Roads" 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 "Stay on These Roads" by a-ha are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.