How to Dial In "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Goodbye Yellow Brick 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 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973). Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is the seventh studio album by British singer, pianist and composer Elton John. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue through a Marshall 1987X 50W Plexi Reissue, the rig we use for Elton John's other songs from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" Tone
What guitar did Elton John use on "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"?
The guitar on "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (released 1973) isn't documented; the Gibson 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue (Custom Shop) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "Goodbye Yellow Brick 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 "Goodbye Yellow Brick 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 "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.