How to Dial In "What I Need to Do" by Kenny Chesney - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "What I Need to Do"
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 When the Sun Goes Down (2004). When the Sun Goes Down is the eighth studio album by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Kenny Chesney's other songs from When the Sun Goes Down, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "What I Need to Do" Tone
What guitar did Kenny Chesney use on "What I Need to Do"?
The guitar on "What I Need to Do" (released 2004) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "What I Need to Do" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "What I Need to Do" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "What I Need to Do" 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 "What I Need to Do" by Kenny Chesney are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.