How to Dial In "Eleanor Rigby" by Wes Montgomery - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Eleanor Rigby"
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 Day in the Life (1967). A Day in the Life is an album by the jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, released in 1967. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson L-5 CES through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Wes Montgomery's other songs from A Day in the Life, stands in. Set the amp clean, with the gain barely up and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Eleanor Rigby" Tone
What guitar did Wes Montgomery use on "Eleanor Rigby"?
The guitar on "Eleanor Rigby" (released 1967) isn't documented; the Gibson L-5 CES above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Eleanor Rigby" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 5, Presence 4.5, 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 "Eleanor Rigby" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Eleanor Rigby" 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 "Eleanor Rigby" by Wes Montgomery are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.