How to Dial In "I Spy" by Pulp - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Spy"
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 Different Class (1995). A dark, slinking build with edgy, trebly guitar under a theatrical vocal. Equipboard's page for Pulp points to the video for Something Changed, where Russell Senior is playing a Fender Jazzmaster, and Wikipedia also lists a Jazzmaster among Mark Webber's guitars. Nothing published ties a rig to this song, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster into a Vox AC30 C2 stands in. Set a light-to-medium crunch on the bridge pickup and dig in harder for the louder sections. The rest of the album is in standard tuning, so that is assumed here.
Common Questions About the "I Spy" Tone
What guitar did Pulp use on "I Spy"?
The guitar on "I Spy" (released 1995) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "I Spy" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 4, Volume 6. 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 "I Spy" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "I Spy" 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 "I Spy" by Pulp are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.