How to Dial In "Mean Old Sun" by Turnpike Troubadours - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Mean Old Sun"
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 A Cat in the Rain (2023). A Cat in the Rain is the fifth studio album by American Red Dirt band Turnpike Troubadours, released on August 25, 2023, through Bossier City Records and Thirty Tigers. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Turnpike Troubadours' other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Mean Old Sun" Tone
What guitar did Turnpike Troubadours use on "Mean Old Sun"?
The guitar on "Mean Old Sun" (released 2023) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Mean Old Sun" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, 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 "Mean Old Sun" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Mean Old Sun" 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 "Mean Old Sun" by Turnpike Troubadours are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.