How to Dial In "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)"
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 Partners in Crime (1979). "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" is a 1979 song by Rupert Holmes, from his album Partners in Crime. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, a warm, lightly driven pop-rock pairing, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" Tone
What guitar did Rupert Holmes use on "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)"?
The guitar on "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 4.5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" 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 "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.