How to Dial In "Pissing in a River" by Patti Smith - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Pissing in a River"
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 Radio Ethiopia (1976). Radio Ethiopia is the second studio album by American musician Patti Smith, and her first album credited to Patti Smith Group, released on 22 October 1976 by Arista 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 rig we use for Patti Smith's other songs from Radio Ethiopia, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Pissing in a River" Tone
What guitar did Patti Smith use on "Pissing in a River"?
The guitar on "Pissing in a River" (released 1976) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Pissing in a River" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, 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 "Pissing in a River" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Pissing in a River" 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 "Pissing in a River" by Patti Smith are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.