How to Dial In "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" by Elvis Presley - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Santa Claus Is Back in Town"
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 Elvis' Christmas Album (1957). Elvis' Christmas Album (also reissued as It's Christmas Time) is the first Christmas album and third studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley on RCA Victor, LOC -1035, a deluxe limited edition, released October 15, 1957, and recorded at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson L-5 CES through a Ray Butts EchoSonic, the nearest rig we use for Elvis Presley's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" Tone
What guitar did Elvis Presley use on "Santa Claus Is Back in Town"?
The guitar on "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" (released 1957) isn't documented; the Gibson L-5 CES above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, 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 "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" 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 "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" by Elvis Presley are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.