How to Dial In "I'm Not the One" by The Cars - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I'm Not the One"
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.
An album track on Shake It Up, released in November 1981 and produced by Roy Thomas Baker, with Elliot Easton's guitar sitting behind Benjamin Orr's vocal and the band's layered synthesisers and handclap-style percussion. The playing is simple and bright, with short rhythm chops and a concise solo. No source available here names the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Stratocaster through a Marshall at moderate gain stands in. Use the middle-and-bridge position, mid gain and a clean pick attack.
Common Questions About the "I'm Not the One" Tone
What guitar did The Cars use on "I'm Not the One"?
The guitar on "I'm Not the One" (released 1981) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle + bridge (position 4) on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "I'm Not the One" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "I'm Not the One" 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'm Not the One" 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'm Not the One" by The Cars are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.