How to Dial In "Nutbush City Limits" by Ike & Tina Turner - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Nutbush City Limits"
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 Nutbush City Limits (1973). Nutbush City Limits is a studio album by Ike & Tina Turner, released on United Artists Records in 1973. The song's Wikipedia article describes the track's "inventive guitar sounds" and says its guitarist is disputed: it was rumored for years to be T. Rex's Marc Bolan, while a 2008 Ebony article named James "Bino" Lewis of the Kings of Rhythm. It does not settle the guitar or amp, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Ike & Tina Turner's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light 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 "Nutbush City Limits" Tone
What guitar did Ike & Tina Turner use on "Nutbush City Limits"?
The guitar on "Nutbush City Limits" (released 1973) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster 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 "Nutbush City Limits" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 5.5. 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 "Nutbush City Limits" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Nutbush City Limits" 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 "Nutbush City Limits" by Ike & Tina Turner are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.