How to Dial In "I Fought the Law" by The Bobby Fuller Four - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Fought the Law"
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.
Sonny Curtis of the Crickets wrote it in 1959. Bobby Fuller's band first cut it in 1964 on his own Exeter label in El Paso, and after the band moved to California and signed with Bob Keane, they re-recorded it at Randy Fuller's suggestion. Mustang released that version in October 1965 with "Little Annie Lou" on the B-side; it reached number 9 in 1966 and is on the album I Fought the Law; Rolling Stone ranked it among the 500 greatest songs of all time. The band was Bobby Fuller on vocals and guitar, Jim Reese on guitar, Randy Fuller on bass and DeWayne Quirico on drums. No source names the guitar, amp or effects. The tone is a bright, jangling Tex-Mex rock and roll sound with a short, ringing lead: play it on the bridge pickup with the amp clean but pushed, and let the chords ring. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "I Fought the Law" Tone
What guitar did The Bobby Fuller Four use on "I Fought the Law"?
The guitar on "I Fought the Law" (released 1965) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "I Fought the Law" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, 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 "I Fought the Law" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "I Fought the Law" 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 "I Fought the Law" by The Bobby Fuller Four are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.