How to Dial In "Last Great American Whale" by Lou Reed - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Last Great American Whale"
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 New York (1989). New York is the fifteenth solo studio album by American rock musician Lou Reed, released in January 1989 by Sire Records. 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 New York, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Last Great American Whale" Tone
What guitar did Lou Reed use on "Last Great American Whale"?
The guitar on "Last Great American Whale" (released 1989) 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 "Last Great American Whale" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, 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 "Last Great American Whale" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Last Great American Whale" 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 "Last Great American Whale" by Lou Reed are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.