How to Dial In "Astro Man" by Jimi Hendrix - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Astro Man"
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 The Cry of Love (1971). Recorded mostly in 1970 for the fourth studio album Hendrix was planning, then released after his death as The Cry of Love with Hendrix, Eddie Kramer and Mitch Mitchell credited as producers. Hendrix, a left-hander, played a right-handed Stratocaster flipped and restrung, through Marshall 100-watt Super Lead stacks, with a Fuzz Face, Octavia, Uni-Vibe and Vox wah among his documented pedals, but no source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue stands in. Set the amp at a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Hendrix tuned his guitar a half step down (Eb standard).
Common Questions About the "Astro Man" Tone
What guitar did Jimi Hendrix use on "Astro Man"?
The guitar on "Astro Man" (released 1971) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Astro Man" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "Astro Man" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Astro Man" 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 "Astro Man" by Jimi Hendrix are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.