How to Dial In "Levi Stubbs' Tears" by Billy Bragg - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Levi Stubbs' Tears"
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 Talking with the Taxman About Poetry (1986). Talking with the Taxman About Poetry is the third album by Billy Bragg, released in September 1986. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Player Jaguar through a Marshall JCM800 2203, a driven garage-punk pairing, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Levi Stubbs' Tears" Tone
What guitar did Billy Bragg use on "Levi Stubbs' Tears"?
The guitar on "Levi Stubbs' Tears" (released 1986) isn't documented; the Fender Player Jaguar above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Levi Stubbs' Tears" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Levi Stubbs' Tears" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Levi Stubbs' Tears" 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.
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Tone references for "Levi Stubbs' Tears" by Billy Bragg are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.