How to Dial In "South Dakota" by Chris Stapleton - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "South Dakota"
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 Higher (2023). A gritty, bluesy country-rock groove with a warm, driven electric guitar. No source found documents the guitars or amps on this record, so the Jazzmaster into a Deluxe Reverb used for Chris Stapleton's other entries stands in. So a Fender American Original 60s Jazzmaster into a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue stands in. Set a light-to-medium crunch on the bridge pickup and dig in harder for the louder sections. The rest of the album is in standard tuning, so that is assumed here.
Common Questions About the "South Dakota" Tone
What guitar did Chris Stapleton use on "South Dakota"?
The guitar on "South Dakota" (released 2023) isn't documented; the Fender American Original 60s Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "South Dakota" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "South Dakota" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "South Dakota" 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 "South Dakota" by Chris Stapleton are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.