How to Dial In "Honesty Is No Excuse" by Thin Lizzy - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Honesty Is No Excuse"
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 Thin Lizzy (1971). An early, melodic Irish rock track with a warm, lightly overdriven Stratocaster. Premier Guitar and Hot Press say Eric Bell bought a brand-new Fender Stratocaster in 1971, just before Thin Lizzy recorded their debut, and Equipboard lists a Colorsound Tone Bender and a Watkins Copicat in his early rig; no source gives the amp. So a Fender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster (AVRI Reissue) into a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue stands in. Set a light-to-medium crunch on the bridge pickup and dig in harder for the louder sections. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Honesty Is No Excuse" Tone
What guitar did Thin Lizzy use on "Honesty Is No Excuse"?
The guitar on "Honesty Is No Excuse" (released 1971) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster (AVRI Reissue) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Honesty Is No Excuse" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6.5. 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 "Honesty Is No Excuse" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Honesty Is No Excuse" 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 "Honesty Is No Excuse" by Thin Lizzy are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.