How to Dial In "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" by Johnny Thunders - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory"
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 So Alone (1978). Raw, ragged proto-punk rock and roll with a loud, overdriven guitar. Nothing published ties a rig to this song, so a Gibson Les Paul Junior into a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue stands in. Set a medium-high crunch on the single pickup and keep the low end tight. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" Tone
What guitar did Johnny Thunders use on "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory"?
The guitar on "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" (released 1978) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Junior above gets the sound. Pickup selector: single pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 7. 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 "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" 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 "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" by Johnny Thunders are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.