How to Dial In "The Gold Bug" by The Alan Parsons Project - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Gold Bug"
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 The Turn of a Friendly Card (1980). The Turn of a Friendly Card is the fifth studio album by the British progressive rock duo the Alan Parsons Project, released in 1980 by Arista Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue, the rig we use for The Alan Parsons Project's other songs from The Turn of a Friendly Card, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "The Gold Bug" Tone
What guitar did The Alan Parsons Project use on "The Gold Bug"?
The guitar on "The Gold Bug" (released 1980) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "The Gold Bug" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, 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 "The Gold Bug" 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 Gold Bug" 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 Gold Bug" by The Alan Parsons Project are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.