How to Dial In "Trumpets" by The Waterboys - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Trumpets"
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 This Is the Sea (1985). This Is the Sea is the third studio album by the Waterboys, released on 16 September 1985 by Ensign Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Rickenbacker 360 through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for The Waterboys' other songs from This Is the Sea, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Trumpets" Tone
What guitar did The Waterboys use on "Trumpets"?
The guitar on "Trumpets" (released 1985) isn't documented; the Rickenbacker 360 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Trumpets" 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 "Trumpets" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Trumpets" 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 "Trumpets" by The Waterboys are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.