How to Dial In "Dirt Road Blues" by Bob Dylan - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Dirt Road Blues"
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 Time Out of Mind (1997). A loping, twangy shuffle with a clean, driving, slightly dirty guitar sound. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue stands in. Use the neck and middle pickups together and set the amp to a medium-gain crunch. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Dirt Road Blues" Tone
What guitar did Bob Dylan use on "Dirt Road Blues"?
The guitar on "Dirt Road Blues" (released 1997) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Dirt Road Blues" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 6. 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 "Dirt Road Blues" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Dirt Road Blues" 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 "Dirt Road Blues" by Bob Dylan are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.