How to Dial In "Back to the Old House" by The Smiths - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Back to the Old House"
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 Hatful of Hollow (1984). A compilation of BBC Radio 1 session recordings, singles and B-sides produced by John Porter, the band, Roger Pusey and Dale "Buffin" Griffin, it was released by Rough Trade on 2 November 1984. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig to the one documented for The Smiths, stands in. Set the amp to a clean, lightly driven tone and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Back to the Old House" Tone
What guitar did The Smiths use on "Back to the Old House"?
The guitar on "Back to the Old House" (released 1984) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Back to the Old House" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "Back to the Old House" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Back to the Old House" 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 "Back to the Old House" by The Smiths are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.