How to Dial In "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" by Richard and Linda Thompson - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight"
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 I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (1974). I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight is the second album released by Richard Thompson, and his first to include his then wife, Linda Thompson, the pair being credited as Richard and Linda Thompson. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, a clean, bright folk-rock pairing, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" Tone
What guitar did Richard and Linda Thompson use on "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight"?
The guitar on "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" (released 1974) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster 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 Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 4.5, 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 "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" 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 Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" 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 Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" by Richard and Linda Thompson are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.