How to Dial In "Big Sky" by The Kinks - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Big Sky"
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 The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968). The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Kinks. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '57 Custom Deluxe, the rig we use for The Kinks' other songs from The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Big Sky" Tone
What guitar did The Kinks use on "Big Sky"?
The guitar on "Big Sky" (released 1968) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Big Sky" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 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 "Big Sky" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Big Sky" 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 "Big Sky" by The Kinks are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.