How to Dial In "Piece of Crap" by Neil Young - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Piece of Crap"
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 Sleeps with Angels (1994). Sleeps with Angels is the twenty-second studio album by Canadian-American musician Neil Young, released on August 16, 1994, on Reprise as a double LP and as a single CD. Young's seventh album with Crazy Horse, it was co-produced by long-time collaborator David Briggs who died the following year. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue (Custom Shop) through a Fender '57 Custom Deluxe (Tweed Deluxe), the rig we use for Neil Young's other songs from Sleeps with Angels, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Piece of Crap" Tone
What guitar did Neil Young use on "Piece of Crap"?
The guitar on "Piece of Crap" (released 1994) isn't documented; the Gibson 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue (Custom Shop) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Piece of Crap" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 8. 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 "Piece of Crap" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Piece of Crap" 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 "Piece of Crap" by Neil Young are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.