How to Dial In "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" by John Lennon - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama"
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 Imagine (1971). A heavy, grinding track from Imagine with thick, sustaining guitar and a sprawling, jam-like feel. A retailer history says Lennon used his Epiphone Casino on every record from Revolver to Imagine, but it doesn't say which guitars are on this track, and his amp isn't documented, so a Casino stands in and no amp is set. Set the amp at a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" Tone
What guitar did John Lennon use on "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama"?
The guitar on "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" (released 1971) isn't documented; the Epiphone Casino above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" 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 "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" by John Lennon are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.