How to Dial In "Messin' The Blues" by Robin Trower - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Messin' The Blues"
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 Long Misty Days (1976). Long Misty Days is guitarist and songwriter Robin Trower's fourth solo album, released in 1976. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Original 50s Stratocaster through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue, the rig we use for Robin Trower's other songs from Long Misty Days, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the neck pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Messin' The Blues" Tone
What guitar did Robin Trower use on "Messin' The Blues"?
The guitar on "Messin' The Blues" (released 1976) isn't documented; the Fender American Original 50s Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Messin' The Blues" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6, 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 "Messin' The Blues" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Messin' The Blues" 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 "Messin' The Blues" by Robin Trower are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.