How to Dial In "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" by Johnny Cash - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Don't Take Your Guns to Town"
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 Fabulous Johnny Cash (1958). The Fabulous Johnny Cash is the second studio album by Johnny Cash and his first for Columbia Records, released in 1958. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Esquire (Original) through a Fender '57 Custom Deluxe (Tweed Deluxe), the nearest rig we use for Johnny Cash's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the single pickup.
Common Questions About the "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" Tone
What guitar did Johnny Cash use on "Don't Take Your Guns to Town"?
The guitar on "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" (released 1958) isn't documented; the Fender Esquire (Original) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: single pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" 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 "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" by Johnny Cash are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.