How to Dial In "Magic America" by Blur - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Magic America"
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 Parklife (1994). A bouncy, jangly Britpop track with bright, clean-to-crunchy guitar. GroundGuitar describes Graham Coxon as favouring a reissue of the 1952 Fender Telecaster and a 100-watt Marshall Super Lead on 4x12s with a Power Break, used almost exclusively with Blur. Nothing published ties a rig to this song, so a Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) into a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue stands in. Set a light-to-medium crunch on the bridge pickup and dig in harder for the louder sections. The rest of the album is in standard tuning, so that is assumed here.
Common Questions About the "Magic America" Tone
What guitar did Blur use on "Magic America"?
The guitar on "Magic America" (released 1994) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Magic America" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 4, Mid 6, 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 "Magic America" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Magic America" 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 "Magic America" by Blur are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.