How to Dial In "The Main Monkey Business" by Rush - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Main Monkey Business"
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 Snakes & Arrows (2007). Snakes & Arrows is the eighteenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released on May 1, 2007 by Anthem Records. Wikipedia's article on the album says Alex Lifeson's main guitars on it were a semi-acoustic Gibson ES-335, a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop and a Fender Telecaster, but no source we found ties one of them or an amp to this instrumental, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the rig we use for Rush's other songs from Snakes & Arrows, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Main Monkey Business" Tone
What guitar did Rush use on "The Main Monkey Business"?
The guitar on "The Main Monkey Business" (released 2007) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The Main Monkey Business" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, 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 "The Main Monkey Business" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Main Monkey Business" 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 "The Main Monkey Business" by Rush are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.