How to Dial In "Looking for a Rainbow" by Chris Rea - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Looking for a Rainbow"
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 The Road to Hell (1989). The Road to Hell is the tenth studio album by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, released in October 1989. 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 rig we use for Chris Rea's other songs from The Road to Hell, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Looking for a Rainbow" Tone
What guitar did Chris Rea use on "Looking for a Rainbow"?
The guitar on "Looking for a Rainbow" (released 1989) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Looking for a Rainbow" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "Looking for a Rainbow" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Looking for a Rainbow" 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 "Looking for a Rainbow" by Chris Rea are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.