How to Dial In "Candy Says" by The Velvet Underground - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Candy Says"
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 Velvet Underground (1969). A quiet, tender ballad with clean, gently picked guitar and a hushed vocal. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so an Epiphone Casino through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue stands in. Use the neck pickup and set the amp clean, just short of breakup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Candy Says" Tone
What guitar did The Velvet Underground use on "Candy Says"?
The guitar on "Candy Says" (released 1969) isn't documented; the Epiphone Casino above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Candy Says" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 4. 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 "Candy Says" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Candy Says" 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 "Candy Says" by The Velvet Underground are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.