How to Dial In "In the Real World" by Roy Orbison - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "In the Real World"
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 Mystery Girl (1989). Mystery Girl is the final studio album released in Roy Orbison's lifetime, issued in January 1989 on Virgin Records after his death. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Roy Orbison's other songs from Mystery Girl, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck+middle pickups together.
Common Questions About the "In the Real World" Tone
What guitar did Roy Orbison use on "In the Real World"?
The guitar on "In the Real World" (released 1989) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "In the Real World" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "In the Real World" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "In the Real World" 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 "In the Real World" by Roy Orbison are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.