How to Dial In "Kalimba Story" by Earth, Wind & Fire - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Kalimba Story"
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 Open Our Eyes (1974). Open Our Eyes is the fifth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on 25 March 1974 by 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 rig we use for Earth, Wind & Fire's other songs from Open Our Eyes, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the middle pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Kalimba Story" Tone
What guitar did Earth, Wind & Fire use on "Kalimba Story"?
The guitar on "Kalimba Story" (released 1974) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Kalimba Story" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Kalimba Story" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Kalimba Story" 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 "Kalimba Story" by Earth, Wind & Fire are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.