How to Dial In "Dirty Back Road" by The B-52's - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Dirty Back Road"
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 Wild Planet (1980). Wild Planet is the second studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released on 27 August 1980 by Warner Bros. Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Player Mustang through a Vox AC30HW2X Hand-Wired, the rig we use for The B-52's' other songs from Wild Planet, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Dirty Back Road" Tone
What guitar did The B-52's use on "Dirty Back Road"?
The guitar on "Dirty Back Road" (released 1980) isn't documented; the Fender Player Mustang above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Dirty Back Road" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 4, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 5, Volume 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 "Dirty Back Road" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Dirty Back Road" 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 "Dirty Back Road" by The B-52's are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.