Christopher Cross album cover - Christopher Cross
Guitar tone settings

How to Dial In "Never Be the Same" by Christopher Cross - Guitar Tone Settings

The rig

Gear for "Never Be the Same"

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.

Gain2
Bass5
Mid5
Treble6
Presence4.5
Volume5.5

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
Tone6.5
Volume6
Recording notes

From Christopher Cross (1979). Christopher Cross is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross, released on December 27, 1979, by Warner Bros. 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 Christopher Cross' other songs from Christopher Cross, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck and middle pickups together. Standard tuning.

FAQ

Common Questions About the "Never Be the Same" Tone

  1. What guitar did Christopher Cross use on "Never Be the Same"?

    The guitar on "Never Be the Same" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).

  2. What amp settings does "Never Be the Same" need?

    Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 4.5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Never Be the Same" without the original gear?

    Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Never Be the Same" 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 "Never Be the Same" by Christopher Cross are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.

Adapt to my gear