How to Dial In "Mary's New Car" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Mary's New Car"
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 Southern Accents (1985). Southern Accents is the sixth studio album by American rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released on March 26, 1985, through MCA Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage II 1963 Telecaster through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' other songs from Southern Accents, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Mary's New Car" Tone
What guitar did Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers use on "Mary's New Car"?
The guitar on "Mary's New Car" (released 1985) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1963 Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Mary's New Car" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "Mary's New Car" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Mary's New Car" 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 "Mary's New Car" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.