How to Dial In "Perfect World" by Huey Lewis and the News - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Perfect World"
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 Small World (1988). Small World is the fifth studio album by American rock band Huey Lewis and the News, released in 1988. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Huey Lewis and the News' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck+middle pickups together.
Common Questions About the "Perfect World" Tone
What guitar did Huey Lewis and the News use on "Perfect World"?
The guitar on "Perfect World" (released 1988) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Perfect World" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, 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 "Perfect World" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Perfect World" 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 "Perfect World" by Huey Lewis and the News are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.