How to Dial In "Guitar and Pen" by The Who - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Guitar and Pen"
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 Who Are You (1978). Who Are You is the eighth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 18 August 1978 by Polydor Records in the United Kingdom and on 21 August 1978 by MCA Records in the United States. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe through a Hiwatt DR103 Custom 100, the rig we use for The Who's other songs from Who Are You, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Guitar and Pen" Tone
What guitar did The Who use on "Guitar and Pen"?
The guitar on "Guitar and Pen" (released 1978) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Deluxe above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Guitar and Pen" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 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 "Guitar and Pen" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Guitar and Pen" 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 "Guitar and Pen" by The Who are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.