How to Dial In "Gunbarrel Highway" by Midnight Oil - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Gunbarrel Highway"
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 Diesel and Dust (1987). A brooding, spacious mid-tempo rock track with ringing, reverb-soaked clean guitar. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Vox AC30 C2 stands in. Use the bridge pickup and set the amp clean and chiming. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Gunbarrel Highway" Tone
What guitar did Midnight Oil use on "Gunbarrel Highway"?
The guitar on "Gunbarrel Highway" (released 1987) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Gunbarrel Highway" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "Gunbarrel Highway" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Gunbarrel Highway" 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 "Gunbarrel Highway" by Midnight Oil are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.