How to Dial In "Old Before I Die" by Robbie Williams - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Old Before I Die"
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 Life thru a Lens (1997). Life thru a Lens is the debut solo album by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams following his departure from Take That. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Robbie Williams' other songs from Life thru a Lens, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Old Before I Die" Tone
What guitar did Robbie Williams use on "Old Before I Die"?
The guitar on "Old Before I Die" (released 1997) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Old Before I Die" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 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 "Old Before I Die" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Old Before I Die" 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 "Old Before I Die" by Robbie Williams are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.