How to Dial In "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" by Michael Bolton - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You"
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 Soul Provider (1989). Soul Provider is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. This is Bolton's own recording; Laura Branigan had recorded the song first, in 1983. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, a warm, lightly driven pop-rock pairing, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" Tone
What guitar did Michael Bolton use on "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You"?
The guitar on "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" (released 1989) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 4.5, Volume 5.5. 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 "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" 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.
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Tone references for "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" by Michael Bolton are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.