How to Dial In "Dirty Work" by Steely Dan - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Dirty Work"
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 Can't Buy a Thrill (1972). Their debut album, produced by Gary Katz at the Village Recorder in Los Angeles in August 1972, it was released by ABC in October 1972. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig to the one documented for Steely Dan, stands in. Set the amp to a clean, lightly driven tone and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Dirty Work" Tone
What guitar did Steely Dan use on "Dirty Work"?
The guitar on "Dirty Work" (released 1972) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Dirty Work" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, 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 "Dirty Work" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Dirty Work" 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 "Dirty Work" by Steely Dan are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.