How to Dial In "The End" by The Beatles - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "The End"
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 numbers are for an AC30. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
The only three-way guitar duel the Beatles ever recorded, and the order is fixed and worth knowing: McCartney takes the first two bars, Harrison the second two, Lennon the third two, and the cycle repeats three times. Each has a distinct voice — McCartney's is the most melodic, Harrison's leans on wide string bends, Lennon's is the most distorted and ragged — so if you are learning it, learn it as three characters rather than one solo. McCartney played his Epiphone Casino and Harrison his Rosewood Telecaster; Lennon's part is the heavily overdriven one. Overdubbed at Abbey Road on 7-8 August 1969. The Casino is fully hollow with P-90s and breaks up early, which is why these tones sound raw at what was not an enormous volume. Set the amp just into overdrive and get the differences from touch, not from switching anything.
Common Questions About the "The End" Tone
What guitar did The Beatles use on "The End"?
The Beatles tracked "The End" on an Epiphone Casino (released 1969). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The End" need?
On an AC30: Gain 6, Bass 4.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, 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 "The End" without an AC30?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The End" 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 End" by The Beatles are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.