How to Dial In "Crawling Kingsnake" by The Black Keys - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Crawling Kingsnake"
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 Delta Kream (2021), a record of hill-country blues covers made with guitarist Kenny Brown and bassist Eric Deaton; 'Crawling King Snake' is a John Lee Hooker standard. A droning, one-chord hill-country groove in a dirty, mid-gain tone. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Danelectro '59M NOS+ through a Fender '57 Custom Deluxe (Tweed Deluxe) stands in. Use the bridge pickup and set the amp to a thick, fuzzy overdrive. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Crawling Kingsnake" Tone
What guitar did The Black Keys use on "Crawling Kingsnake"?
The guitar on "Crawling Kingsnake" (released 2021) isn't documented; the Danelectro '59M NOS+ above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Crawling Kingsnake" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, 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 "Crawling Kingsnake" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Crawling Kingsnake" 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 "Crawling Kingsnake" by The Black Keys are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.