How to Dial In "You Can Do Magic" by America - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "You Can Do Magic"
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 View from the Ground (1982). View from the Ground is the tenth studio album by British-American folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in August 1982. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Vintera '60s Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for America's other songs, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck and middle pickups together. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "You Can Do Magic" Tone
What guitar did America use on "You Can Do Magic"?
The guitar on "You Can Do Magic" (released 1982) isn't documented; the Fender Vintera '60s Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "You Can Do Magic" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 4. 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 "You Can Do Magic" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "You Can Do Magic" 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 "You Can Do Magic" by America are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.