How to Dial In "Choo Lo" by The Local Train - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Choo Lo"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
Standard tuning. Probably the most-streamed Hindi-language rock song ever recorded, and effectively the anthem of the Indian independent rock scene — a scene that exists almost entirely outside the Bollywood playback system that dominates the country's music economy. The guitar builds from clean arpeggios in the verse to a fuller, lightly overdriven chorus, with a melodic solo that stays in the middle register and doubles the vocal phrasing. Keep the gain low and use the neck pickup for the verses, moving to the bridge for the chorus rather than adding drive. Recorded 2015 in Delhi.
Common Questions About the "Choo Lo" Tone
What guitar did The Local Train use on "Choo Lo"?
The Local Train tracked "Choo Lo" on a Stratocaster (released 2015). The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Choo Lo" need?
On Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue: Gain 4, 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 "Choo Lo" without a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Choo Lo" 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.
What pedals are on "Choo Lo"?
The original signal chain for "Choo Lo" runs through Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man. Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Choo Lo" by The Local Train are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.