How to Dial In "Cumberland Blues" by Grateful Dead - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Cumberland 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.
A track on Workingman's Dead, released in June 1970, an upbeat, bluesy song about a coal miner, with Jerry Garcia's electric guitar playing short, nimble fills and a bright, rolling lead. Garcia played Gibson SG guitars in the late 1960s, but no source available here confirms the guitar and amp on this recording, so an SG through a Twin Reverb stands in. Use the bridge pickup and a clean-to-crunchy tone with a bit of spring reverb, and play with a light, rolling picking hand.
Common Questions About the "Cumberland Blues" Tone
What guitar did Grateful Dead use on "Cumberland Blues"?
The guitar on "Cumberland Blues" (released 1970) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Cumberland Blues" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Cumberland 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 "Cumberland 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 "Cumberland Blues" by Grateful Dead are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.