How to Dial In "Across the Borderline" by Ry Cooder - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Across the Borderline"
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 Get Rhythm (1987). Get Rhythm is a studio album by Ry Cooder. It was released in 1987. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, a common rig for this kind of sound, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Across the Borderline" Tone
What guitar did Ry Cooder use on "Across the Borderline"?
The guitar on "Across the Borderline" (released 1987) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Across the Borderline" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, 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 "Across the Borderline" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Across the Borderline" 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 "Across the Borderline" by Ry Cooder are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.