How to Dial In "Legal Tender" by The B-52's - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Legal Tender"
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 Whammy! (1983). Whammy! is the third studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released on April 27, 1983, by Warner Bros (US) and Island Records (Europe, Japan). No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Player Mustang through a Vox AC30HW2X Hand-Wired, the nearest rig we use for The B-52's' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Legal Tender" Tone
What guitar did The B-52's use on "Legal Tender"?
The guitar on "Legal Tender" (released 1983) isn't documented; the Fender Player Mustang above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Legal Tender" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. 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 "Legal Tender" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Legal Tender" 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 "Legal Tender" by The B-52's are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.