How to Dial In "Switchboard Susan" by Nick Lowe - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Switchboard Susan"
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 Labour of Lust (1979). Labour of Lust is an album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Lowe, it was released in 1979 by Radar Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the US. It was recorded and released at the same time as Dave Edmunds' Repeat When Necessary and features the same Rockpile personnel. 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 rig we use for Nick Lowe's other songs from Labour of Lust, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Switchboard Susan" Tone
What guitar did Nick Lowe use on "Switchboard Susan"?
The guitar on "Switchboard Susan" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Fender Vintera II '60s 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 "Switchboard Susan" 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 "Switchboard Susan" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Switchboard Susan" 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 "Switchboard Susan" by Nick Lowe are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.