How to Dial In "People Like Us" by Talking Heads - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "People Like Us"
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 True Stories (1986). True Stories is the seventh studio album by the American rock band Talking Heads. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Talking Heads' other songs from True Stories, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "People Like Us" Tone
What guitar did Talking Heads use on "People Like Us"?
The guitar on "People Like Us" (released 1986) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "People Like Us" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "People Like Us" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "People Like Us" 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 "People Like Us" by Talking Heads are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.