How to Dial In "Take It or Leave It" by Ted Nugent - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Take It or Leave It"
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 State of Shock (1979). State of Shock is the fifth solo studio album by American rock musician Ted Nugent. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Byrdland through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Ted Nugent's other songs from State of Shock, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Take It or Leave It" Tone
What guitar did Ted Nugent use on "Take It or Leave It"?
The guitar on "Take It or Leave It" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Gibson Byrdland above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Take It or Leave It" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 9. 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 "Take It or Leave It" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Take It or Leave It" 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 "Take It or Leave It" by Ted Nugent are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.