How to Dial In "Love Sick" by Bob Dylan - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Love Sick"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These are the numbers on the record. On your amp, they 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), cut in January 1997 at Criteria Studios in Miami and produced by Daniel Lanois. Lanois's memoir, as quoted by Wikipedia, says "the penetrating sound of my Goldtop Les Paul and Dylan's Telecaster had reached the masses", so both a Les Paul Goldtop and a Telecaster are on the record; a modern Telecaster stands in here. The amp is not documented, so none is set, and the pickup position and tuning are not documented either. The murky, sepulchral feel comes as much from the production as the guitars: Dylan's vocal was distorted by Lanois.
Common Questions About the "Love Sick" Tone
What guitar did Bob Dylan use on "Love Sick"?
Bob Dylan tracked "Love Sick" on a Telecaster (released 1997). The Fender American Professional II Telecaster named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Love Sick" need?
On the original amp: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Volume 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 "Love Sick" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Love Sick" 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 "Love Sick" by Bob Dylan are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.