How to Dial In "Dream Police" by Cheap Trick - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Dream Police"
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 numbers are for the original amp. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
Standard tuning. Rick Nielsen's part sits against a full string section, which is unusual for a hard rock single and dictates the settings: the strings occupy the same upper-midrange the guitar normally owns, so the tone here is tighter and more percussive than a wide-open Marshall sound. Keep the gain moderate and the note attack sharp. Nielsen is a collector who changed guitars constantly, but the recorded rhythm sound is humbuckers into a cranked Marshall with no pedals. The riff is chromatic and moves quickly, so anything muddier than this loses the line. Recorded 1978 and released 1979; the album was held back while In Color-era material was still selling.
Common Questions About the "Dream Police" Tone
What guitar did Cheap Trick use on "Dream Police"?
Cheap Trick tracked "Dream Police" on a Les Paul (released 1979). The Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Dream Police" need?
On the original amp: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 7. 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 "Dream Police" 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 "Dream Police" 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 "Dream Police" by Cheap Trick are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.