How to Dial In "Vigilante Man" by Ry Cooder - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Vigilante Man"
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 Into the Purple Valley (1972). Into the Purple Valley is the second studio album by roots rock musician Ry Cooder, released in 1972. 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 "Vigilante Man" Tone
What guitar did Ry Cooder use on "Vigilante Man"?
The guitar on "Vigilante Man" (released 1972) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Vigilante Man" 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 "Vigilante Man" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Vigilante Man" 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 "Vigilante Man" by Ry Cooder are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.