Tago Mago album cover - Can
Guitar tone settings

How to Dial In "Paperhouse" by Can - Guitar Tone Settings

Can·1971·Tago Mago
The rig

Gear for "Paperhouse"

Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.

The settings

Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning

Amp settings

Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.

Gain5
Bass5
Mid5
Treble6
Presence5
Volume6

On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.

Get the settings for my amp
Guitar setup

How the artist had their guitar configured for this take.

TuningStandard(E A D G B E)
Pickup selector
NeckNk+MdMiddleBr+MdBridge
Guitar knobs
Tone5
Volume7
Recording notes

From Tago Mago (1971). Tago Mago is the second studio album by the German Krautrock band Can, released in August 1971 as a double LP by United Artists Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Vintera '60s Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Can's other songs from Tago Mago, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.

FAQ

Common Questions About the "Paperhouse" Tone

  1. What guitar did Can use on "Paperhouse"?

    The guitar on "Paperhouse" (released 1971) isn't documented; the Fender Vintera '60s Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).

  2. What amp settings does "Paperhouse" need?

    Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 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.

  3. Can I play "Paperhouse" without the original gear?

    Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Paperhouse" 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.

Related tones

Tone references for "Paperhouse" by Can are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.

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