How to Dial In "Four Letter Word" by Cheap Trick - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Four Letter Word"
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 One on One (1982). One on One is Cheap Trick's sixth studio album, and seventh release in general. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Hamer Standard through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Cheap Trick's other songs from One on One, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Four Letter Word" Tone
What guitar did Cheap Trick use on "Four Letter Word"?
The guitar on "Four Letter Word" (released 1982) isn't documented; the Hamer Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Four Letter Word" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, 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 "Four Letter Word" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Four Letter Word" 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 "Four Letter Word" by Cheap Trick are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.