How to Dial In "Up for the Down Stroke" by Parliament - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Up for the Down Stroke"
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 Up for the Down Stroke (1974). Up for the Down Stroke is the second album by the American funk band Parliament, released on 3 July 1974 by Casablanca Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Parliament's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the middle+bridge pickups together.
Common Questions About the "Up for the Down Stroke" Tone
What guitar did Parliament use on "Up for the Down Stroke"?
The guitar on "Up for the Down Stroke" (released 1974) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle + bridge (position 4) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Up for the Down Stroke" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 1.5, Bass 4.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 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 "Up for the Down Stroke" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Up for the Down Stroke" 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
- Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)Parliament · 1975
- Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)Parliament · 1975
- Mothership Connection (Star Child)Parliament · 1975
- Cut the CakeAverage White Band · 1975
- Got the LoveAverage White Band · 1974
- Groovin' the Night AwayAverage White Band · 1975
Tone references for "Up for the Down Stroke" by Parliament are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.