How to Dial In "Oily Water" by Blur - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Oily Water"
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 Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993). Modern Life Is Rubbish is the second studio album by the English alternative rock band Blur, released in May 1993. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Blur's other songs from Modern Life Is Rubbish, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Oily Water" Tone
What guitar did Blur use on "Oily Water"?
The guitar on "Oily Water" (released 1993) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Oily Water" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7.5. 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 "Oily Water" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Oily Water" 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 "Oily Water" by Blur are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.