How to Dial In "Burden of Shame" by UB40 - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Burden of Shame"
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 Signing Off (1980). Signing Off is the debut studio album by the British reggae band UB40, released on August 29, 1980 on Graduate Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Standard Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for UB40's other songs from Signing Off, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck+middle pickups together.
Common Questions About the "Burden of Shame" Tone
What guitar did UB40 use on "Burden of Shame"?
The guitar on "Burden of Shame" (released 1980) isn't documented; the Fender American Standard Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Burden of Shame" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 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 "Burden of Shame" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Burden of Shame" 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 "Burden of Shame" by UB40 are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.