How to Dial In "Cry If You Want" by The Who - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Cry If You Want"
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 It's Hard (1982). It's Hard is the tenth studio album by the English rock band the Who. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson SG Standard through a Hiwatt DR103 Custom 100, the rig we use for The Who's other songs from It's Hard, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Cry If You Want" Tone
What guitar did The Who use on "Cry If You Want"?
The guitar on "Cry If You Want" (released 1982) isn't documented; the Gibson SG Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Cry If You Want" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "Cry If You Want" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Cry If You Want" 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 "Cry If You Want" by The Who are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.