How to Dial In "Rock and Roll Heart" by Lou Reed - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Rock and Roll Heart"
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 Rock and Roll Heart (1976). A swaggering, mid-tempo 70s rock song with raw, chunky rhythm guitar. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue stands in. Use the neck pickup and set the amp to a medium-gain crunch. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Rock and Roll Heart" Tone
What guitar did Lou Reed use on "Rock and Roll Heart"?
The guitar on "Rock and Roll Heart" (released 1976) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Rock and Roll Heart" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, 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 "Rock and Roll Heart" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Rock and Roll Heart" 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 "Rock and Roll Heart" by Lou Reed are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.