How to Dial In "Playing with the Boys" by Kenny Loggins - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Playing with the Boys"
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 Top Gun (soundtrack) (1986). Top Gun: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the 1986 soundtrack to the film Top Gun, on which Kenny Loggins contributes "Playing with the Boys". No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Kenny Loggins' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Playing with the Boys" Tone
What guitar did Kenny Loggins use on "Playing with the Boys"?
The guitar on "Playing with the Boys" (released 1986) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Playing with the Boys" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6.5. 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 "Playing with the Boys" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Playing with the Boys" 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 "Playing with the Boys" by Kenny Loggins are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.