How to Dial In "Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'" by Sly and the Family Stone - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'"
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 There's a Riot Goin' On (1971). There's a Riot Goin' On is the fifth studio album by the American funk and soul band Sly and the Family Stone, released on 1 November 1971 by Epic 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, the rig we use for Sly and the Family Stone's other songs from There's a Riot Goin' On, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the middle pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'" Tone
What guitar did Sly and the Family Stone use on "Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'"?
The guitar on "Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'" (released 1971) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 5.5, Presence 5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'" 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 "Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'" by Sly and the Family Stone are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.