How to Dial In "Waking Up in Vegas" by Katy Perry - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Waking Up in Vegas"
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 One of the Boys (2008). One of the Boys is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Katy Perry. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, a bright, clean pop-rock pairing, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Waking Up in Vegas" Tone
What guitar did Katy Perry use on "Waking Up in Vegas"?
The guitar on "Waking Up in Vegas" (released 2008) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Waking Up in Vegas" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Waking Up in Vegas" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Waking Up in Vegas" 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.
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Tone references for "Waking Up in Vegas" by Katy Perry are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.