How to Dial In "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" by Buck Owens - Guitar Tone Settings
What Buck Owens Actually Used on "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail"
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.
Harlan Howard and Buck Owens wrote it after Owens saw an Esso sign with the slogan "Put a tiger in your tank". Owens and the Buckaroos recorded it in Hollywood on 1 December 1964 with Ken Nelson producing, and Capitol released it on 28 December with "Cryin' Time" on the B-side. It was their sixth number one on the Billboard country chart, holding the top spot for five weeks in early 1965, and their only top-40 hit on the Hot 100, at number 25; it is the title track of the album I've Got a Tiger by the Tail and entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Don Rich's guitar on it was the gold-sparkle Custom Telecaster with a maple fretboard he played from late 1964 to mid-1966, which was also used on "Buckaroo" and "Together Again". No source names the amp. Play the bouncy lead on the bridge pickup with a clean, bright amp, and snap the strings for twang. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" Tone
What guitar did Buck Owens use on "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail"?
Buck Owens tracked "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" on a Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) (released 1964). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" need?
On the original amp: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" 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 "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" 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 "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" by Buck Owens are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.