How to Dial In "Top of the Hill" by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Top of the Hill"
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 A Hard Road (1967). A Hard Road is the third album (and second studio album) recorded by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, released in 1967. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Kirk Hammett Greeny Les Paul Standard through a Marshall JTM45 2245 Reissue, the nearest rig to the one documented for John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Top of the Hill" Tone
What guitar did John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers use on "Top of the Hill"?
The guitar on "Top of the Hill" (released 1967) isn't documented; the Gibson Kirk Hammett Greeny Les Paul Standard (Signature) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Top of the Hill" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "Top of the Hill" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Top of the Hill" 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 "Top of the Hill" by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.