How to Dial In "The Good Thing" by Talking Heads - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Good Thing"
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 More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978). More Songs About Buildings and Food is the second album by the American rock band Talking Heads, released on 14 July 1978 by Sire. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Talking Heads' other songs from More Songs About Buildings and Food, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "The Good Thing" Tone
What guitar did Talking Heads use on "The Good Thing"?
The guitar on "The Good Thing" (released 1978) 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 "The Good Thing" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.5, 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 "The Good Thing" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Good Thing" 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 "The Good Thing" by Talking Heads are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.