How to Dial In "Helpless Automaton" by Men at Work - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Helpless Automaton"
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 Business as Usual (1981). Business as Usual is the debut studio album by the Australian new wave band Men at Work. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Men at Work's other songs from Business as Usual, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Helpless Automaton" Tone
What guitar did Men at Work use on "Helpless Automaton"?
The guitar on "Helpless Automaton" (released 1981) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Helpless Automaton" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5.5, 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 "Helpless Automaton" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Helpless Automaton" 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 "Helpless Automaton" by Men at Work are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.