How to Dial In "Ride Captain Ride" by Blues Image - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Ride Captain Ride"
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 Open (1970). Open is Blues Image's second album and most acclaimed album, which featured the No. 4 hit single, "Ride Captain Ride". The song's Wikipedia article says Pinera plays the guitar solo at the end of the song. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, a warm, lightly driven pop-rock pairing, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Ride Captain Ride" Tone
What guitar did Blues Image use on "Ride Captain Ride"?
The guitar on "Ride Captain Ride" (released 1970) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Ride Captain Ride" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 4.5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Ride Captain Ride" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Ride Captain Ride" 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 "Ride Captain Ride" by Blues Image are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.