How to Dial In "American Soul" by U2 - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "American Soul"
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 Songs of Experience (2017). Songs of Experience is the fourteenth studio album by Irish rock band U2. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for U2's other songs from Songs of Experience, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the middle and bridge pickups together.
Common Questions About the "American Soul" Tone
What guitar did U2 use on "American Soul"?
The guitar on "American Soul" (released 2017) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle + bridge (position 4) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "American Soul" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, 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 "American Soul" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "American Soul" 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 "American Soul" by U2 are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.