How to Dial In "So May It Secretly Begin" by Pat Metheny Group - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "So May It Secretly Begin"
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 Still Life (Talking) (1987). Still Life (Talking) is the fifth studio album by the Pat Metheny Group. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-175 through a Mesa Boogie Mark IV, the rig we use for Pat Metheny Group's other songs from Still Life (Talking), stands in. Set the amp clean, with the gain barely up and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "So May It Secretly Begin" Tone
What guitar did Pat Metheny Group use on "So May It Secretly Begin"?
The guitar on "So May It Secretly Begin" (released 1987) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-175 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "So May It Secretly Begin" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 6, Mid 6.5, Treble 5.5, Presence 5, Volume 5.5. 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 "So May It Secretly Begin" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "So May It Secretly Begin" 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 "So May It Secretly Begin" by Pat Metheny Group are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.