How to Dial In "Break It Up" by Patti Smith - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Break It Up"
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 Horses (1975). Horses is the debut studio album by American musician Patti Smith, released on 10 November 1975 by Arista Records. The album's personnel list credits Tom Verlaine with guitar on this track, alongside Lenny Kaye on lead guitar and Ivan Král on guitar for the album. 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 rig we use for Patti Smith's other songs from Horses, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Break It Up" Tone
What guitar did Patti Smith use on "Break It Up"?
The guitar on "Break It Up" (released 1975) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Break It Up" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, 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 "Break It Up" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Break It Up" 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 "Break It Up" by Patti Smith are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.