How to Dial In "(Not Just) Knee Deep" by Funkadelic - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "(Not Just) Knee Deep"
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 George Clinton song arranged by Walter "Junie" Morrison and released as a single from Uncle Jam Wants You in 1979, when it reached number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the US R&B chart. The lead guitar credit goes to Michael Hampton and Junie Morrison, and the intro was sampled by De La Soul on "Me Myself and I", Tone Loc, Black Eyed Peas and many others. The sources available here don't name the guitars or amp, so the rig is a suggestion. Keep the tone clean and funky with a snappy bridge-pickup attack, add a little compression, and play the licks short and rhythmic. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "(Not Just) Knee Deep" Tone
What guitar did Funkadelic use on "(Not Just) Knee Deep"?
The guitar on "(Not Just) Knee Deep" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "(Not Just) Knee Deep" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "(Not Just) Knee Deep" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "(Not Just) Knee Deep" 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 "(Not Just) Knee Deep" by Funkadelic are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.