How to Dial In "Help Me Mary" by Liz Phair - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Help Me Mary"
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 Exile in Guyville (1993). Exile in Guyville is the debut studio album by the American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released on June 22, 1993, by Matador Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender Deluxe Reverb (Blackface), the rig we use for Liz Phair's other songs from Exile in Guyville, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Help Me Mary" Tone
What guitar did Liz Phair use on "Help Me Mary"?
The guitar on "Help Me Mary" (released 1993) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Help Me Mary" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "Help Me Mary" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Help Me Mary" 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 "Help Me Mary" by Liz Phair are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.