How to Dial In "He's Gone" by Grateful Dead - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "He's Gone"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These are the numbers on the record. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Europe '72 (1972). A slow, rolling Garcia and Hunter groove on which the guitar stays clean and speaks in lyrical single-note phrases. The album's account says Garcia had switched from the Gibson SG to a 1959 Fender Stratocaster by the start of the Europe '72 tour, so a 1959 Stratocaster reissue is set. The Dead's amplifiers for 1972 aren't documented in anything available here, so none is listed. Set the amp clean with a little edge and use the middle pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "He's Gone" Tone
What guitar did Grateful Dead use on "He's Gone"?
Grateful Dead tracked "He's Gone" on a Stratocaster (released 1972). The Fender Custom Shop 1959 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: middle pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "He's Gone" need?
On the original amp: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "He's Gone" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "He's Gone" 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 "He's Gone" by Grateful Dead are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.