How to Dial In "Take Five" by George Benson - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Take Five"
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 Bad Benson (1974). Bad Benson is a 1974 studio album by American guitarist George Benson, released on CTI Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson L-5 CES through a Polytone Mini-Brute IV, the nearest rig we use for George Benson's other songs, stands in. Set the amp clean, with the gain barely up and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Take Five" Tone
What guitar did George Benson use on "Take Five"?
The guitar on "Take Five" (released 1974) isn't documented; the Gibson L-5 CES above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Take Five" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 1.5, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 5, Presence 4, 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 "Take Five" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Take Five" 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 "Take Five" by George Benson are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.