How to Dial In "Down Don't Bother Me" by Albert King - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Down Don't Bother Me"
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 Born Under a Bad Sign (1967). Born Under a Bad Sign is the second studio album by American blues musician Albert King, released in August 1967 by Stax Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Flying V through a Fender '65 Super Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Albert King's other songs from Born Under a Bad Sign, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Down Don't Bother Me" Tone
What guitar did Albert King use on "Down Don't Bother Me"?
The guitar on "Down Don't Bother Me" (released 1967) isn't documented; the Gibson Flying V above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Down Don't Bother Me" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 5, Presence 4, 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 "Down Don't Bother Me" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Down Don't Bother Me" 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 "Down Don't Bother Me" by Albert King are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.