How to Dial In "Black and Blue" by Counting Crows - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Black and Blue"
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 Hard Candy (2002). Hard Candy is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Counting Crows, released in July 2002 on Geffen Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Counting Crows' other songs from Hard Candy, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Black and Blue" Tone
What guitar did Counting Crows use on "Black and Blue"?
The guitar on "Black and Blue" (released 2002) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Black and Blue" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, 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 "Black and Blue" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Black and Blue" 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 "Black and Blue" by Counting Crows are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.