How to Dial In "Ah! Leah!" by Donnie Iris - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Ah! Leah!"
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 Back on the Streets (1980). His debut album, produced by Mark Avsec and recorded in the spring of 1980 at Jeree Studios in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, it was released on July 15, 1980. The single "Ah! Leah!" reached No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s through a Marshall JMP 2203 Master Volume, a typical late-1970s American hard-rock pairing, stands in. Set the amp to a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Ah! Leah!" Tone
What guitar did Donnie Iris use on "Ah! Leah!"?
The guitar on "Ah! Leah!" (released 1980) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Ah! Leah!" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 6.5. 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.
Can I play "Ah! Leah!" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Ah! Leah!" 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 "Ah! Leah!" by Donnie Iris are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.