How to Dial In "Money Becomes King" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Money Becomes King"
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 The Last DJ (2002). The Last DJ is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. 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 The Last DJ, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Money Becomes King" Tone
What guitar did Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers use on "Money Becomes King"?
The guitar on "Money Becomes King" (released 2002) 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 "Money Becomes King" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, 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 "Money Becomes King" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Money Becomes King" 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 "Money Becomes King" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.