How to Dial In "Stagger Lee" by Grateful Dead - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Stagger Lee"
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 Shakedown Street (1978). Shakedown Street is the tenth studio album (fifteenth overall) by rock band the Grateful Dead, released November 8, 1978, by Arista Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Grateful Dead's other songs from Shakedown Street, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the middle pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Stagger Lee" Tone
What guitar did Grateful Dead use on "Stagger Lee"?
The guitar on "Stagger Lee" (released 1978) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Stagger Lee" need?
Settings for this sound: 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 "Stagger Lee" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Stagger Lee" 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 "Stagger Lee" by Grateful Dead are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.