How to Dial In "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight" by REO Speedwagon - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight"
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 You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978). You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish is the seventh studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1978. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall 1959HW Handwired Super Lead, the rig we use for REO Speedwagon's other songs from You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight" Tone
What guitar did REO Speedwagon use on "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight"?
The guitar on "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight" (released 1978) 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 "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 7.5. 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 "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight" 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 "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight" by REO Speedwagon are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.