How to Dial In "Blue Thunder" by Galaxie 500 - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Blue Thunder"
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 On Fire (1989). Their second album, produced by Mark Kramer at Noise New York, it was released on Rough Trade in 1989. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the Jazzmaster and Twin Reverb used for the band's "Tugboat", stands in. Set the amp to a clean, lightly driven tone and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Blue Thunder" Tone
What guitar did Galaxie 500 use on "Blue Thunder"?
The guitar on "Blue Thunder" (released 1989) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Blue Thunder" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6.5, Presence 4.5, 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 "Blue Thunder" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Blue Thunder" 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 "Blue Thunder" by Galaxie 500 are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.