How to Dial In "My Old Man" by Mac DeMarco - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "My Old Man"
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 This Old Dog (2017). This Old Dog is the third studio album by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mac DeMarco, released on May 5, 2017 through Captured Tracks. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Teisco Del Rey Spectrum 5 through a Fender Champion 40, the rig we use for Mac DeMarco's other songs from This Old Dog, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "My Old Man" Tone
What guitar did Mac DeMarco use on "My Old Man"?
The guitar on "My Old Man" (released 2017) isn't documented; the Teisco Del Rey Spectrum 5 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "My Old Man" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Volume 5.5. 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 "My Old Man" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "My Old Man" 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 "My Old Man" by Mac DeMarco are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.