How to Dial In "Something for Nothing" by Rush - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Something for Nothing"
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 numbers are for a Plexi. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
Closes 2112, the album Rush made after being told to write something commercial and deliberately doing the opposite — the label pressure that followed Caress of Steel's failure is the context, and the album's success is what bought them creative freedom for the rest of their career. This is the straightforward hard-rock end of the record rather than the suite: a driving riff with a strong backbeat and no time-signature games. Standard tuning. Lifeson is still on Gibson humbuckers into a 50-watt Marshall pushed past clean, recorded dry. Keep the gain in Plexi territory and the mids up so the open voicings stay legible.
Common Questions About the "Something for Nothing" Tone
What guitar did Rush use on "Something for Nothing"?
Rush recorded "Something for Nothing" (released 1976) before the Gibson ES-Les Paul came out; it is named above as a modern equivalent. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Something for Nothing" need?
On a Plexi: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "Something for Nothing" without a Plexi?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Something for Nothing" 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 "Something for Nothing" by Rush are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.