How to Dial In "Time Tough" by Toots and the Maytals - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Time Tough"
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 In the Dark (1974). In the Dark is the second international album release by the Jamaican reggae group Toots and the Maytals, released in 1974 on Dragon Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender Vintera '60s Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Toots and the Maytals' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the middle pickup.
Common Questions About the "Time Tough" Tone
What guitar did Toots and the Maytals use on "Time Tough"?
The guitar on "Time Tough" (released 1974) isn't documented; the Fender Vintera '60s Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Time Tough" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5.5, Mid 5, Treble 5.5, Presence 4.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Time Tough" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Time Tough" 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 "Time Tough" by Toots and the Maytals are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.