How to Dial In "Amos Moses" by Jerry Reed - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Amos Moses"
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.
Jerry Reed wrote it, Chet Atkins produced it, and RCA Victor released it on 19 October 1970 as the last single from Georgia Sunshine. It was Reed's biggest pop hit, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, and it sold a million. The song tells of a one-armed Cajun alligator poacher from near Thibodaux, Louisiana, over a mix of rock, country, funk and Cajun music. No source names the guitar, amp or effects. The guitar part is a funky, fingerpicked riff with a thumb-driven bass line and snapping treble notes: pick it with your thumb and fingers on the bridge pickup with the amp clean, and keep it tight and percussive. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Amos Moses" Tone
What guitar did Jerry Reed use on "Amos Moses"?
The guitar on "Amos Moses" (released 1970) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Amos Moses" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Amos Moses" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Amos Moses" 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 "Amos Moses" by Jerry Reed are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.