How to Dial In "Johnny Make Believe" by Golden Earring - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Johnny Make Believe"
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 Face It (1994). Face It is the album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released on 4 November 1994 by Columbia. The album's personnel list credits George Kooymans, Barry Hay and Rinus Gerritsen on guitar, with Ton Masseurs on pedal steel on track 8. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Golden Earring's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Johnny Make Believe" Tone
What guitar did Golden Earring use on "Johnny Make Believe"?
The guitar on "Johnny Make Believe" (released 1994) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Custom above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Johnny Make Believe" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "Johnny Make Believe" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Johnny Make Believe" 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 "Johnny Make Believe" by Golden Earring are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.