How to Dial In "Red Army Blues" by The Waterboys - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Red Army Blues"
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 A Pagan Place (1984). A Pagan Place is the second studio album by the Waterboys, released by Ensign Records on 28 May 1984. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Rickenbacker 360 through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for The Waterboys' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Red Army Blues" Tone
What guitar did The Waterboys use on "Red Army Blues"?
The guitar on "Red Army Blues" (released 1984) isn't documented; the Rickenbacker 360 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Red Army Blues" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 4, 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 "Red Army Blues" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Red Army Blues" 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 "Red Army Blues" by The Waterboys are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.