How to Dial In "Too Hip, Gotta Go" by Stray Cats - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Too Hip, Gotta Go"
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 Rant n' Rave with the Stray Cats (1983). Rant n' Rave with the Stray Cats is the third studio album by American rockabilly revivalist band Stray Cats, released in 1983 by EMI America. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gretsch G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature Nashville Hollow Body '59 Smoke through a Fender '59 Bassman LTD Reissue, the rig we use for Stray Cats' other songs from Rant n' Rave with the Stray Cats, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Too Hip, Gotta Go" Tone
What guitar did Stray Cats use on "Too Hip, Gotta Go"?
The guitar on "Too Hip, Gotta Go" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Gretsch G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature Nashville Hollow Body '59 Smoke above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Too Hip, Gotta Go" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, 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 "Too Hip, Gotta Go" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Too Hip, Gotta Go" 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.
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Tone references for "Too Hip, Gotta Go" by Stray Cats are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.