How to Dial In "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not" by X - Guitar Tone Settings
What X Actually Used on "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Traynor YBA-1 Bass Master. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Los Angeles (1980). Los Angeles is the debut studio album by the American rock band X, released on April 26, 1980, by Slash Records. Guitar World's account of Billy Zoom's tone on X's first records puts him on his 1955 Gretsch 6129 Silver Jet through a Traynor YBA-1 Bass Master head borrowed from bassist John Doe, with a custom 4x10 cabinet, because his own stage amps were too loud for the studio. Premier Guitar lists a vintage DeArmond volume pedal as his only effect, and it is left out of the rig. Set the amp on the edge of breakup and use the bridge pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not" Tone
What guitar did X use on "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not"?
X tracked "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not" on a Gretsch 6129 Silver Jet (released 1980). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not" need?
On Traynor YBA-1 Bass Master: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not" without a Traynor YBA-1 Bass Master?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not" 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.
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Tone references for "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not" by X are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.