How to Dial In "Close to Me" by Bill Withers - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Close to 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 Naked & Warm (1976). Naked & Warm is the fifth studio album by American soul singer-songwriter and producer Bill Withers, released on 6 November 1976 by Columbia Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Bill Withers' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Close to Me" Tone
What guitar did Bill Withers use on "Close to Me"?
The guitar on "Close to Me" (released 1976) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Close to Me" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 5.5, Presence 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.
Can I play "Close to 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 "Close to 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 "Close to Me" by Bill Withers are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.