How to Dial In "Big Weekend" by Tom Petty - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Big Weekend"
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 Highway Companion (2006). Highway Companion is the third and final solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Tom Petty. 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's other songs from Highway Companion, stands in. In a Vintage Guitar interview about the album, Tom Petty names a Telecaster and a Vox teardrop and Mike Campbell says many of the solos were cut on a small blackface Fender Champ, but neither ties a guitar or amp to this song. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup.
Common Questions About the "Big Weekend" Tone
What guitar did Tom Petty use on "Big Weekend"?
The guitar on "Big Weekend" (released 2006) 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 "Big Weekend" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "Big Weekend" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Big Weekend" 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 "Big Weekend" by Tom Petty are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.