How to Dial In "Ballad of a Thin Man" by Bob Dylan - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Ballad of a Thin Man"
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 Highway 61 Revisited (1965). Highway 61 Revisited is the sixth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on August 30, 1965, by Columbia Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Bob Dylan's other songs from Highway 61 Revisited, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Ballad of a Thin Man" Tone
What guitar did Bob Dylan use on "Ballad of a Thin Man"?
The guitar on "Ballad of a Thin Man" (released 1965) 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 "Ballad of a Thin Man" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Ballad of a Thin Man" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Ballad of a Thin Man" 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 "Ballad of a Thin Man" by Bob Dylan are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.