How to Dial In "New York Groove" by Ace Frehley - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "New York Groove"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These are the numbers on the record. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Ace Frehley (1978). Frehley's 1978 solo hit, a sparse, sleazy groove with short, punchy guitar riffs rather than a wall of distortion. Frehley has said he recorded almost the whole 1978 solo album with his 1959 sunburst Les Paul (Guitar World), so a 1958 Les Paul Standard reissue stands in for it. No reliable source names the amp used on the album, so none is set. Set the amp at a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "New York Groove" Tone
What guitar did Ace Frehley use on "New York Groove"?
Ace Frehley tracked "New York Groove" on a Les Paul (released 1978). The Gibson 1958 Les Paul Standard Reissue named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "New York Groove" need?
On the original amp: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "New York Groove" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "New York Groove" 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 "New York Groove" by Ace Frehley are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.