How to Dial In "Living on an Island" by Status Quo - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Living on an Island"
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 Whatever You Want (1979). Whatever You Want is the twelfth studio album by the British rock band Status Quo, released on 12 October 1979 by Vertigo Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue, the rig we use for Status Quo's other songs from Whatever You Want, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Living on an Island" Tone
What guitar did Status Quo use on "Living on an Island"?
The guitar on "Living on an Island" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Living on an Island" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "Living on an Island" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Living on an Island" 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 "Living on an Island" by Status Quo are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.