Artist
3 songs, each with a starting point and the rig from its sources
Tonelify's library has 3 ZZ Top songs, each with the rig reported in interviews and articles and a reference starting point on a generic five-knob amp. All 3 songs start at the same position, Gain 4, Bass 5, Middle 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3, because a starting point follows the style of the part and these share one, so the effects and the playing are what set them apart.
The numbers below are the same ones each song page gives. The rig for each song is on its own page with the sources it comes from.
Every song on this page, grouped by the starting point it shares, with the same numbers as the song pages. Open it full size to print, or save it for later.
A boogie riff and fuzzy leads made of pure tube distortion.
Start at Gain 4, Bass 5, Middle 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the in-between position of the three-way switch on the opening part.
A driving, high-output blues riff split between two guitars.
Start at Gain 4, Bass 5, Middle 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the single humbucker, the only pickup on his album guitars.
A raw, shuffling 12-bar riff with a slide lead.
Start at Gain 4, Bass 5, Middle 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the bridge pickup.
These are positions on a generic five-knob amp with gain, bass, middle, treble and presence, each running 0 to 10. They are a starting point, not the settings used on the record, and they will not transfer unchanged to an amp with a different gain structure or EQ voicing.
| Song | Guitar and amp |
|---|---|
| La Grange | 1955 Fender Stratocaster with a stop tailpiece1969 Marshall Super Lead 100 |
| Sharp Dressed Man | Custom Dean guitars, one DiMarzio Super Distortion each (album rig)Album rig: a Legend 50 hybrid, cranked for a richer tone |
| Tush | Pearly Gates, his sunburst 1959 Gibson Les Paul (Guitar Player)Not documented; a Marshall Super Lead was his amp on Tres Hombres (not placed on this song) |
Tonelify reads each of these chains and translates it to the amp and guitar you already own. Adapt one in the tone matcher →
On a generic five-knob amp, La Grange, Sharp Dressed Man and Tush all start at Gain 4, Bass 5, Middle 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3: a starting point follows the style of the part, and these share one. These are starting points, not the settings used on the records.
La Grange: 1955 Fender Stratocaster with a stop tailpiece; 1969 Marshall Super Lead 100. Sharp Dressed Man: Custom Dean guitars, one DiMarzio Super Distortion each (album rig); Album rig: a Legend 50 hybrid, cranked for a richer tone. Tush: Pearly Gates, his sunburst 1959 Gibson Les Paul (Guitar Player); Not documented; a Marshall Super Lead was his amp on Tres Hombres (not placed on this song). Each song page lists the sources behind its rig.
Yes. What carries these sounds is the gain structure, the EQ curve, the pickup position and the order of the effects, and all four can be rebuilt on other equipment. Tonelify rewrites each starting point for the amp and guitar you own.
