How to Dial In "Hard Times" by Boz Scaggs - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Hard Times"
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 Down Two Then Left (1977). Down Two Then Left is the eighth studio album by the American musician Boz Scaggs, released in November 1977 on Columbia Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Boz Scaggs' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the middle pickup.
Common Questions About the "Hard Times" Tone
What guitar did Boz Scaggs use on "Hard Times"?
The guitar on "Hard Times" (released 1977) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Hard Times" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "Hard Times" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Hard Times" 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 "Hard Times" by Boz Scaggs are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.