How to Dial In "The Next Day" by David Bowie - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Next Day"
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 The Next Day (2013). The Next Day is the twenty-fifth studio album by the English musician David Bowie. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for David Bowie's other songs from The Next Day, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "The Next Day" Tone
What guitar did David Bowie use on "The Next Day"?
The guitar on "The Next Day" (released 2013) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "The Next Day" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 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 "The Next Day" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Next Day" 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 "The Next Day" by David Bowie are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.