How to Dial In "Poor Places" by Wilco - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Poor Places"
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 Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2001). Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Wilco, originally self-released on September 29, 2001, on Wilco's website as streamed audio, and later as a retail release on April 23, 2002, through Nonesuch Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, the rig we use for Wilco's other songs from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck pickup.
Common Questions About the "Poor Places" Tone
What guitar did Wilco use on "Poor Places"?
The guitar on "Poor Places" (released 2001) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Poor Places" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Volume 4.5. 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 "Poor Places" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Poor Places" 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 "Poor Places" by Wilco are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.