How to Dial In "I'll Be Good to You" by The Brothers Johnson - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I'll Be Good to You"
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 Look Out for #1 (1976). Look Out for #1 is the debut album by duo Brothers Johnson released in 1976 on A&M Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for The Brothers Johnson's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "I'll Be Good to You" Tone
What guitar did The Brothers Johnson use on "I'll Be Good to You"?
The guitar on "I'll Be Good to You" (released 1976) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "I'll Be Good to You" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 5.5, 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 "I'll Be Good to You" 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'll Be Good to You" 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'll Be Good to You" by The Brothers Johnson are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.