How to Dial In "How Many Friends" by The Who - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "How Many Friends"
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 Who by Numbers (1975). The Who by Numbers is the seventh studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 3 October 1975 in the United Kingdom through Polydor Records, and on 6 October 1975 in the United States by MCA Records. 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 The Who by Numbers, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "How Many Friends" Tone
What guitar did The Who use on "How Many Friends"?
The guitar on "How Many Friends" (released 1975) 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 "How Many Friends" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 7.5. 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 "How Many Friends" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "How Many Friends" 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 "How Many Friends" by The Who are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.