How to Dial In "Life on Mars?" by David Bowie - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Life on Mars?"
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.
Recorded on 6 August 1971 at Trident Studios in London and co-produced by David Bowie and Ken Scott, with Rick Wakeman on piano, Trevor Bolder on bass, Mick Woodmansey on drums and Mick Ronson on guitar. Ronson also wrote the string arrangement, his first, and near the end plays a short vibrato-saturated guitar solo recorded in one take. His famous stripped 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom is tied to the Ziggy Stardust era that began months later, and no source places it on this session, so the rig is a suggestion. Play the solo on the neck pickup with a singing, near-clean amp tone and plenty of finger vibrato. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "Life on Mars?" Tone
What guitar did David Bowie use on "Life on Mars?"?
The guitar on "Life on Mars?" (released 1971) isn't documented; the Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Life on Mars?" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, 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 "Life on Mars?" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Life on Mars?" 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.
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Tone references for "Life on Mars?" by David Bowie are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.