How to Dial In "One for the Radio" by McFly - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "One for the Radio"
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 Radio:ACTIVE (2008). Radio:Active (stylised as Radio:ACTIVE) is the fourth studio album by English pop rock band McFly. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Vox AC30 C2, the nearest rig we use for McFly's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in C standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), two whole steps below standard.
Common Questions About the "One for the Radio" Tone
What guitar did McFly use on "One for the Radio"?
The guitar on "One for the Radio" (released 2008) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in C Standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "One for the Radio" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6.5. 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 "One for the Radio" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "One for the Radio" 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 "One for the Radio" by McFly are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.