How to Dial In "This Wheel's on Fire" by The Byrds - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "This Wheel's on Fire"
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 Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde (1969). Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde is a 1969 studio album by The Byrds. The song was written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko, so this is a cover. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, a twangy country-rock pairing, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "This Wheel's on Fire" Tone
What guitar did The Byrds use on "This Wheel's on Fire"?
The guitar on "This Wheel's on Fire" (released 1969) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II 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 "This Wheel's on Fire" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, 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 "This Wheel's on Fire" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "This Wheel's on Fire" 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 "This Wheel's on Fire" by The Byrds are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.