How to Dial In "Careless Whisper" by Wham! - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Careless Whisper"
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 Make It Big (1984). Make It Big is the second studio album by English pop duo Wham!, released in 1984. The song's Wikipedia article says Andrew Ridgeley wrote its chord sequence on the Fender Telecaster he received for his 18th birthday. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Wham!'s other songs from Make It Big, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Careless Whisper" Tone
What guitar did Wham! use on "Careless Whisper"?
The guitar on "Careless Whisper" (released 1984) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Careless Whisper" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 5.5. 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 "Careless Whisper" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Careless Whisper" 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 "Careless Whisper" by Wham! are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.