How to Dial In "Love in Vain" by The Rolling Stones - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Love in Vain"
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 Let It Bleed (1969). Let It Bleed is the eighth studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 28 November 1969 by London Records in the United States and on 5 December 1969 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage II 1963 Telecaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for The Rolling Stones' other songs from Let It Bleed, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Love in Vain" Tone
What guitar did The Rolling Stones use on "Love in Vain"?
The guitar on "Love in Vain" (released 1969) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1963 Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Love in Vain" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Love in Vain" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Love in Vain" 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 "Love in Vain" by The Rolling Stones are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.