How to Dial In "The Living Daylights" by a-ha - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Living Daylights"
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 rig we use for a-ha's other songs from Stay on These Roads, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Living Daylights" Tone
What guitar did a-ha use on "The Living Daylights"?
The guitar on "The Living Daylights" (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 "The Living Daylights" 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 "The Living Daylights" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Living Daylights" 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 "The Living Daylights" by a-ha are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.