How to Dial In "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Hurdy Gurdy Man"
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 Hurdy Gurdy Man (1968). The Hurdy Gurdy Man is the sixth studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. Who played the guitar is disputed: the song's Wikipedia article says Donovan has credited Jimmy Page as the guitarist. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, the nearest rig we use for Donovan's other songs, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Hurdy Gurdy Man" Tone
What guitar did Donovan use on "Hurdy Gurdy Man"?
The guitar on "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (released 1968) 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 "Hurdy Gurdy Man" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 4.5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Hurdy Gurdy Man" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Hurdy Gurdy Man" 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 "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.