I.O.U. album cover - Allan Holdsworth
Guitar tone settings

How to Dial In "Where Is One" by Allan Holdsworth - Guitar Tone Settings

Allan Holdsworth·1982·I.O.U.
The rig

Gear for "Where Is One"

Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.

The settings

Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning

Amp settings

Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.

Gain2
Bass5.5
Mid5.5
Treble5
Presence4.5
Volume5

On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.

Get the settings for my amp
Guitar setup

How the artist had their guitar configured for this take.

TuningStandard(E A D G B E)
Pickup selector
NeckNk+MdMiddleBr+MdBridge
Guitar knobs
Tone6
Volume9
Recording notes

From I.O.U. (1982). I.O.U. is the second studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1982 through Luna Crack Records/I.O.U. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Carvin Allan Holdsworth HF2 through a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus, the nearest rig we use for Allan Holdsworth's other songs, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the single pickup. Standard tuning.

FAQ

Common Questions About the "Where Is One" Tone

  1. What guitar did Allan Holdsworth use on "Where Is One"?

    The guitar on "Where Is One" (released 1982) isn't documented; the Carvin Allan Holdsworth HF2 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: single pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).

  2. What amp settings does "Where Is One" need?

    Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 5, Presence 4.5, Volume 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.

  3. Can I play "Where Is One" without the original gear?

    Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Where Is One" 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.

Related tones

Tone references for "Where Is One" by Allan Holdsworth are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.

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