How to Dial In "Always Had the Blues" by The Darkness - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Always Had the Blues"
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 Last of Our Kind (2015). Last of Our Kind is the fourth studio album by British hard rock band The Darkness. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall 1959HW Handwired Super Lead, the rig we use for The Darkness' other songs from Last of Our Kind, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Always Had the Blues" Tone
What guitar did The Darkness use on "Always Had the Blues"?
The guitar on "Always Had the Blues" (released 2015) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Always Had the Blues" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "Always Had the Blues" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Always Had the Blues" 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 "Always Had the Blues" by The Darkness are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.