How to Dial In "Back on the Road" by Earth, Wind & Fire - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Back on the Road"
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 Faces (1980). Faces is the tenth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire released on October 14, 1980, on ARC/Columbia Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Earth, Wind & Fire's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the middle pickup.
Common Questions About the "Back on the Road" Tone
What guitar did Earth, Wind & Fire use on "Back on the Road"?
The guitar on "Back on the Road" (released 1980) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Back on the Road" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 1.5, Bass 4.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "Back on the Road" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Back on the Road" 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 "Back on the Road" by Earth, Wind & Fire are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.