How to Dial In "The Back Seat of My Car" by Paul McCartney - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Back Seat of My Car"
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 Ram (1971). Ram (also stylised in all caps) is the only studio album credited to the spousal music duo Paul and Linda McCartney, and the former's second solo album after leaving the Beatles. The song's Wikipedia article says the basic tracks were cut with McCartney, drummer Denny Seiwell and guitarist David Spinozza or Hugh McCracken, with other guitar parts overdubbed. It does not name the guitars or amps, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for Paul McCartney's other songs from Ram, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Back Seat of My Car" Tone
What guitar did Paul McCartney use on "The Back Seat of My Car"?
The guitar on "The Back Seat of My Car" (released 1971) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The Back Seat of My Car" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, 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 "The Back Seat of My Car" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Back Seat of My Car" 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.
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Tone references for "The Back Seat of My Car" by Paul McCartney are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.