How to Dial In "Black Is Black" by Los Bravos - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Black Is Black"
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 Black Is Black (1966). Black Is Black is the debut album by Spanish beat music group Los Bravos, released in 1966 by Columbia Records in Spain (as Los Bravos), Decca Records in the UK and Press Records in the U.S. The album features its title track, an international hit. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an Epiphone Casino through a Vox AC30 C2, a common rig for this kind of sound, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Black Is Black" Tone
What guitar did Los Bravos use on "Black Is Black"?
The guitar on "Black Is Black" (released 1966) isn't documented; the Epiphone Casino above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Black Is Black" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "Black Is Black" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Black Is Black" 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 "Black Is Black" by Los Bravos are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.