How to Dial In "I'm Alive" by The Hollies - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I'm Alive"
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.
Clint Ballard Jr. wrote it for the Hollies, who first passed it on to another Manchester band, the Toggery Five, before changing their minds. They recorded it at EMI in London on 5 May 1965 with Ron Richards producing, and Parlophone released it on 21 May with "You Know He Did" on the B-side. It was their first UK number one, holding the top spot for three weeks, and also went to number one in Ireland; in the US it is on the album Hear! Here!. No source names the guitar, amp or effects. The guitar is a clean, jangly rhythm part with short, ringing fills: play it on the bridge pickup with the amp clean and bright. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "I'm Alive" Tone
What guitar did The Hollies use on "I'm Alive"?
The guitar on "I'm Alive" (released 1965) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "I'm Alive" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, 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'm Alive" 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 Alive" 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 Alive" by The Hollies are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.