How to Dial In "Bales of Cocaine" by Reverend Horton Heat - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Bales of Cocaine"
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 The Full-Custom Gospel Sounds of the Reverend Horton Heat (1993). The Full-Custom Gospel Sounds of the Reverend Horton Heat is the second album by The Reverend Horton Heat. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gretsch G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature Nashville Hollow Body '59 Smoke through a Fender '59 Bassman LTD Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Reverend Horton Heat's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Bales of Cocaine" Tone
What guitar did Reverend Horton Heat use on "Bales of Cocaine"?
The guitar on "Bales of Cocaine" (released 1993) isn't documented; the Gretsch G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature Nashville Hollow Body '59 Smoke above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Bales of Cocaine" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 4.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Bales of Cocaine" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Bales of Cocaine" 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 "Bales of Cocaine" by Reverend Horton Heat are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.