How to Dial In "Toughest Street in Town" by Thin Lizzy - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Toughest Street in Town"
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 Black Rose: A Rock Legend (1979). Black Rose: A Rock Legend is the ninth studio album by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue (Custom Shop) through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue, the rig we use for Thin Lizzy's other songs from Black Rose: A Rock Legend, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Toughest Street in Town" Tone
What guitar did Thin Lizzy use on "Toughest Street in Town"?
The guitar on "Toughest Street in Town" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue (Custom Shop) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Toughest Street in Town" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Toughest Street in Town" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Toughest Street in Town" 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 "Toughest Street in Town" by Thin Lizzy are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.