How to Dial In "Smile on Me" by The Yardbirds - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Smile on Me"
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 Little Games (1967). Little Games is the fourth American album by the English rock band the Yardbirds, released in July 1967 by Epic Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Custom Shop 1959 Esquire through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for The Yardbirds' other songs from Little Games, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the single pickup.
Common Questions About the "Smile on Me" Tone
What guitar did The Yardbirds use on "Smile on Me"?
The guitar on "Smile on Me" (released 1967) isn't documented; the Fender Custom Shop 1959 Esquire above gets the sound. Pickup selector: single pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Smile on Me" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 8. 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 "Smile on Me" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Smile on Me" 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 "Smile on Me" by The Yardbirds are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.