How to Dial In "Perfectly Good Guitar" by John Hiatt - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Perfectly Good Guitar"
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 Perfectly Good Guitar (1993). Perfectly Good Guitar is singer-songwriter John Hiatt's eleventh album, released in 1993. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, a twangy country-rock pairing, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Perfectly Good Guitar" Tone
What guitar did John Hiatt use on "Perfectly Good Guitar"?
The guitar on "Perfectly Good Guitar" (released 1993) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II 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 "Perfectly Good Guitar" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, 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 "Perfectly Good Guitar" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Perfectly Good Guitar" 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 "Perfectly Good Guitar" by John Hiatt are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.