How to Dial In "Cocaine Blues" by George Thorogood and the Destroyers - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Cocaine 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 Move It on Over (1978). Move It On Over is the second studio album by American blues rock band George Thorogood and the Destroyers. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-125 through a Fender '59 Bassman LTD Reissue, the rig we use for George Thorogood and the Destroyers' other songs from Move It On Over, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the single pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Cocaine Blues" Tone
What guitar did George Thorogood and the Destroyers use on "Cocaine Blues"?
The guitar on "Cocaine Blues" (released 1978) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-125 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: single pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Cocaine Blues" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7.5. 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 "Cocaine 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 "Cocaine 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 "Cocaine Blues" by George Thorogood and the Destroyers are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.