How to Dial In "American Girl" by Rick Springfield - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "American Girl"
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 Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet (1982). Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet is the sixth studio album by Australian rock musician Rick Springfield, released by RCA Records in 1982. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Rick Springfield's other songs from Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "American Girl" Tone
What guitar did Rick Springfield use on "American Girl"?
The guitar on "American Girl" (released 1982) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "American Girl" 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 "American Girl" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "American Girl" 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 "American Girl" by Rick Springfield are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.