How to Dial In "Hands Up" by Rory Gallagher - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Hands Up"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These are the numbers on the record. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
A track from Rory Gallagher's debut solo album, released in 1971 after he left Taste and recorded at Advision Studios with bassist Gerry McAvoy and drummer Wilgar Campbell, as a power trio. His main guitar was the heavily worn Stratocaster he bought in 1961 while playing with the Fontana Showband. No source available here names his amp or effects on this record, so no amp is listed. Use a bridge-pickup tone with a driven, mid-gain amp and keep the picking hard and ragged. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "Hands Up" Tone
What guitar did Rory Gallagher use on "Hands Up"?
Rory Gallagher tracked "Hands Up" on a Stratocaster (released 1971). The Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Hands Up" need?
On the original amp: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 7.5. 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 "Hands Up" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Hands Up" 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 "Hands Up" by Rory Gallagher are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.