How to Dial In "Half a Boy and Half a Man" by Nick Lowe - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Half a Boy and Half a Man"
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 Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit (1984). Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit is a 1984 album by the British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe, released on May 31, 1984. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Nick Lowe's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Half a Boy and Half a Man" Tone
What guitar did Nick Lowe use on "Half a Boy and Half a Man"?
The guitar on "Half a Boy and Half a Man" (released 1984) isn't documented; the Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Half a Boy and Half a Man" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 7. 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 "Half a Boy and Half a Man" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Half a Boy and Half a Man" 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 "Half a Boy and Half a Man" by Nick Lowe are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.