How to Dial In "Street Hassle" by Lou Reed - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Street Hassle"
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 Street Hassle (1978). A sprawling three-part street epic with sparse guitar lines and a driving final section. 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 "Street Hassle" Tone
What guitar did Lou Reed use on "Street Hassle"?
The guitar on "Street Hassle" (released 1978) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Street Hassle" 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 "Street Hassle" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Street Hassle" 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 "Street Hassle" by Lou Reed are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.