How to Dial In "East Bound and Down" by Jerry Reed - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "East Bound and Down"
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 and Deena Kaye Rose wrote it for Smokey and the Bandit, the 1977 film in which Reed co-starred with Burt Reynolds, and he produced the record himself, with Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires singing harmony. RCA released it in August 1977 with "(I'm Just a) Redneck in a Rock and Roll Bar" on the B-side; it reached number 2 on the Billboard country chart. The lyric retells the film's run from Atlanta to Texarkana and back with 400 cases of Coors, and "bound and down" is CB-radio slang for driving flat out. No source names the guitar, amp or effects. Play the twangy, rolling lead lick on the bridge pickup with the amp clean and bright, using your thumb for the bass notes. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "East Bound and Down" Tone
What guitar did Jerry Reed use on "East Bound and Down"?
The guitar on "East Bound and Down" (released 1977) 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 "East Bound and Down" 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 "East Bound and Down" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "East Bound and Down" 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.
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Tone references for "East Bound and Down" by Jerry Reed are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.