How to Dial In "Are the Good Times Really Over" by Merle Haggard - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Are the Good Times Really Over"
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 Big City (1981). Big City is the thirty-third studio album by the American country singer Merle Haggard, backed by the Strangers, released in October 1981 by Epic Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Merle Haggard's other songs from Big City, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Are the Good Times Really Over" Tone
What guitar did Merle Haggard use on "Are the Good Times Really Over"?
The guitar on "Are the Good Times Really Over" (released 1981) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Are the Good Times Really Over" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "Are the Good Times Really Over" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Are the Good Times Really Over" 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 "Are the Good Times Really Over" by Merle Haggard are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.