How to Dial In "I Can't Give Everything Away" by David Bowie - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Can't Give Everything Away"
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 Blackstar (2016). Blackstar is the twenty-sixth and final studio album by the English musician David Bowie. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for David Bowie's other songs from Blackstar, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "I Can't Give Everything Away" Tone
What guitar did David Bowie use on "I Can't Give Everything Away"?
The guitar on "I Can't Give Everything Away" (released 2016) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "I Can't Give Everything Away" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "I Can't Give Everything Away" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "I Can't Give Everything Away" 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 "I Can't Give Everything Away" by David Bowie are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.