How to Dial In "My Best Friend" by Jefferson Airplane - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "My Best Friend"
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 Surrealistic Pillow (1967). Surrealistic Pillow is the second studio album by the American rock band Jefferson Airplane, released on February 1, 1967, by RCA Victor. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-345 through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Jefferson Airplane's other songs from Surrealistic Pillow, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "My Best Friend" Tone
What guitar did Jefferson Airplane use on "My Best Friend"?
The guitar on "My Best Friend" (released 1967) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-345 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "My Best Friend" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 4.5. 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 "My Best Friend" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "My Best Friend" 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 "My Best Friend" by Jefferson Airplane are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.