How to Dial In "Double Crossin' Time" by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Double Crossin' Time"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Bluesbreaker. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966), the "Beano" album. It is the debut studio album by the English blues rock band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, originally credited to John Mayall with Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton recorded it with a sunburst 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard with two PAF humbuckers (stolen in 1966, never recovered) through a Marshall Bluesbreaker combo; the album is where the Les Paul-into-overdriven-Marshall blues sound started. The catalog's Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue and Marshall 1962 Bluesbreaker Reissue are the modern equivalents. Turn the amp up until it is overdriven, keep the guitar volume wide open and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Double Crossin' Time" Tone
What guitar did John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers use on "Double Crossin' Time"?
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers tracked "Double Crossin' Time" on a Les Paul (released 1966). The Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue (Custom Shop) named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Double Crossin' Time" need?
On a Bluesbreaker: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 8. 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 "Double Crossin' Time" without a Bluesbreaker?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Double Crossin' Time" 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 "Double Crossin' Time" by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.