How to Dial In "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" by Elton John - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"
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 Too Low for Zero (1983). Too Low for Zero (stylised as 2 ▼ 4 0) is the seventeenth studio album by British musician Elton John, released in 1983. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Elton John's other songs from Too Low for Zero, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" Tone
What guitar did Elton John use on "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"?
The guitar on "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6.5. 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 "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" 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 "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" by Elton John are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.