How to Dial In "Hard Luck Story" by Men at Work - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Hard Luck Story"
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 Two Hearts (1985). Two Hearts is the third studio album by Australian rock group Men at Work, released on 23 April 1985. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Standard Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Men at Work's other songs from Two Hearts, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck and middle pickups together.
Common Questions About the "Hard Luck Story" Tone
What guitar did Men at Work use on "Hard Luck Story"?
The guitar on "Hard Luck Story" (released 1985) isn't documented; the Fender Standard Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Hard Luck Story" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "Hard Luck Story" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Hard Luck Story" 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 "Hard Luck Story" by Men at Work are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.