How to Dial In "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" by Linda Ronstadt - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Poor Poor Pitiful Me"
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 Simple Dreams (1977). Simple Dreams is the eighth studio album by the American singer Linda Ronstadt, released in 1977 by Asylum Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Fender '57 Custom Deluxe (Tweed Deluxe), the rig we use for Linda Ronstadt's other songs from Simple Dreams, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" Tone
What guitar did Linda Ronstadt use on "Poor Poor Pitiful Me"?
The guitar on "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (released 1977) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 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 "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" 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 "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" by Linda Ronstadt are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.