How to Dial In "Hard Road" by Sam Roberts - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Hard Road"
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 We Were Born in a Flame (2003). We Were Born in a Flame is the debut full-length studio album by Canadian rock musician and singer/songwriter Sam Roberts. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Sam Roberts' other songs from We Were Born in a Flame, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Hard Road" Tone
What guitar did Sam Roberts use on "Hard Road"?
The guitar on "Hard Road" (released 2003) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Hard Road" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6.5. 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 "Hard Road" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Hard Road" 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 "Hard Road" by Sam Roberts are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.