How to Dial In "It Hurts Me Too" by Elmore James - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "It Hurts Me Too"
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.
A blues standard Tampa Red first recorded in 1940, a mid-tempo eight-bar blues built on slide guitar. Elmore James cut it for Chief in 1957 with lyrics that he or Mel London supplied, then recorded it again in late 1962 or early 1963 for Bobby Robinson's Fire/Fury/Enjoy labels, with more prominent slide guitar. That version came out in 1965, two years after his death, and spent eight weeks on the R&B chart, peaking at number 25; it also reached number 106 on Billboard's Bubbling Under chart, his only single to appear there. James was known for loud amplification, and his slide playing earned him the nickname King of the Slide Guitar. No source names the guitar, amp or effects. Play the slide lines with the amp turned up until it starts to break up. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "It Hurts Me Too" Tone
What guitar did Elmore James use on "It Hurts Me Too"?
The guitar on "It Hurts Me Too" (released 1965) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "It Hurts Me Too" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5.5, 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 "It Hurts Me Too" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "It Hurts Me Too" 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.
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Tone references for "It Hurts Me Too" by Elmore James are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.