How to Dial In "Charley's Girl" by Lou Reed - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Charley's Girl"
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 Coney Island Baby (1975). Coney Island Baby is the sixth solo album by the American rock musician Lou Reed, released by RCA Records in December 1975. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Lou Reed's other songs from Coney Island Baby, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Charley's Girl" Tone
What guitar did Lou Reed use on "Charley's Girl"?
The guitar on "Charley's Girl" (released 1975) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Charley's Girl" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 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 "Charley's Girl" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Charley's Girl" 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 "Charley's Girl" by Lou Reed are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.