How to Dial In "Little Sister" by Ry Cooder - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Little Sister"
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 Bop Till You Drop (1979). Bop Till You Drop is the eighth studio album by American musician Ry Cooder, released in July 1979 by Warner Bros. Records. 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 "Little Sister" Tone
What guitar did Ry Cooder use on "Little Sister"?
The guitar on "Little Sister" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Little Sister" 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 "Little Sister" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Little Sister" 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 "Little Sister" by Ry Cooder are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.