How to Dial In "High Wire" by Men at Work - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "High Wire"
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 Cargo (1983). Cargo is the second album by the Australian pop rock band Men at Work. 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 Cargo, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck+middle pickups together. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "High Wire" Tone
What guitar did Men at Work use on "High Wire"?
The guitar on "High Wire" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Fender Standard Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "High Wire" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Volume 6. 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 "High Wire" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "High Wire" 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 "High Wire" by Men at Work are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.