How to Dial In "Wilbury Twist" by Traveling Wilburys - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Wilbury Twist"
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 Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 (1990). Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 is the second and final studio album by the Traveling Wilburys, a group consisting of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Traveling Wilburys' other songs from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the neck and middle pickups together. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Wilbury Twist" Tone
What guitar did Traveling Wilburys use on "Wilbury Twist"?
The guitar on "Wilbury Twist" (released 1990) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Wilbury Twist" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 5.5, 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 "Wilbury Twist" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Wilbury Twist" 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 "Wilbury Twist" by Traveling Wilburys are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.