How to Dial In "Dark Night" by The Blasters - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Dark Night"
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 Hard Line (1985). Their fourth album, produced by Jeff Eyrich, it was released by Slash Records in February 1985. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Original 60s Telecaster through a Fender '59 Bassman LTD Reissue, the nearest rig to the one documented for The Blasters, stands in. Set the amp to a clean, lightly driven tone and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Dark Night" Tone
What guitar did The Blasters use on "Dark Night"?
The guitar on "Dark Night" (released 1985) isn't documented; the Fender American Original 60s Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Dark Night" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, 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 "Dark Night" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Dark Night" 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 "Dark Night" by The Blasters are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.