How to Dial In "I Can't Reach You" by The Who - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I Can't Reach You"
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 Sell Out (1967). The Who Sell Out is the third studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 15 December 1967 by Track Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) through a Sound City L100 (Vintage), the rig we use for The Who's other songs from The Who Sell Out, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "I Can't Reach You" Tone
What guitar did The Who use on "I Can't Reach You"?
The guitar on "I Can't Reach You" (released 1967) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "I Can't Reach You" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 7, 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 "I Can't Reach You" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "I Can't Reach You" 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 "I Can't Reach You" by The Who are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.