My first guitar, like many before and after me was a Fender Squier which was part of an amp combo pack. I don't think I ever thought much about the tone other then pressing the distortion button and turning it up as loud as it would go. As a 13yr old, that is all I needed - a dirty sound to play punk songs.
As I got a bit older, I knew that tone was a thing that my serious guitar playing hero's said was important but again, I didn't have much to go on. I would fiddle around with all the tone knobs without really paying attention to what I was doing and, to be fair, no one else in my band seems to worry about it either.
The perfect tone is really for you to decide - what sounds good to one person doesn't to another. It is up to you to decide for yourself the tone that you want to be dialling in. Also, to get even more nuanced - A tone you decide is write for one song might not be right for another.
Below I have outlined a good starting point that will help you to a place where your guitar and amp will work in perfect harmony (pun intended). Use this as a jumping off point and then let your ears do the work and I promise that you will find what you are looking for.
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What is meant by dialling in an amp
First off, my interpretation of what is meant when I hear 'dialling in an amp' is to get a guitar and amp sounding the best it can by just adjusting the tones and volume settings.
Once this is done, the tone can be flavoured with effects, playing style & other equipment.
How do you dial in a Guitar amp Tone
There are a few different techniques for dialling in an amp that I found when researching the topic. Some of these can get a bit complicated and require you to be pretty far along in your musical journey. Some others talk about specifics for different styles and situations.
My method that I have written below is what I was taught from a seasoned player (once I got up the nerve to ask while feeling a bit stupid :)) and I guarantee will lead you to at least a starting point to build off.
If you follow the advice below, your amp will be at the very least be sounding much better then if you randomly start playing with the nobs or working off some settings found on a random website.
What you need: Your Ears, An Amp, An Electric guitar, A Guitar lead
Turn the amps knobs all to 0
Plug everything in
Set your guitars dials all to 5.
Turn your amps volume to 5
Strum the guitar
Start with the bass setting, slowly start turning it up while deliberately listening to when the tone starts changing. There will be a point where the tone significantly changes. You will hear it 'switch'.
Now do the same with your mid and high (and presence if there is one) until
When you complete all these steps you would have successfully reached the base level of dialling in you amplifier and should hear a distinct difference, for the better, from your previous attempts.
Where to from here? What To Consider Next?
Now that you have successfully dialled in you guitar amp, the world is your oyster.
You this as your 'home base' and start playing around with the knobs and volume on both your amp and guitar.
The tone knobs are particularly useful for making subtle adjustments; rolling them back can soften harsh high frequencies, while increasing them can add brightness or warmth as needed.
The volume knob isn't just for overall loudness; it can also impact the gain structure, giving a cleaner or overdriven sound without going over to your amp.
By working hard and listening carefully, you can use these controls and gain a toolset for real-time tone adjustments. This means that you can level up and adapt to different parts of a song or style required when playing live.
What Other factors could influence the tone of your guitar?
You guitar and amp are just one piece to the tone and sound puzzle. There are a lot of things that could be impacting your sound that you should be aware of. Below are my top 5 points that could impact your guitar and amp sound:
Strings
The strings that you use can change the sound you are producing. This doesn't just mean the brand but also the gauge you use.
Cleanliness
Talking of strings, if you don't change them often, they will start sounding dull. This also goes for cleaning your guitar, especially the fretboard.
Amp Placement
Where you place your amp also influences the tone, just try using you dialled in setting from your room when you are on a stage in front of a crowd. Experiment with the placement on the floor vs on a table.
Room
The room that you in will greatly impact the sound. Bedrooms can be notorious for sound reflection vs a big wide space. Take a look at purchasing some room dampening that could help you out here.
Pickups
It should come as no surprise that changing which pickup you are using changes the tone but you might not think that one pickup out of an amp sounds great while the other sounds horrible. This is why experimenting and spending time dialling in the amp is important.
Interesting Fact - Keith Richard Uses Just a Guitar and Amp For Tone
The great and powerful Keith Richards, guitarist of The Rolling Stones and all time legend, is one of the most well know musicians of all time. But did you know that he is a believer in less is more? That's right, Keith rarely uses effect pedals and relies on his ability to change the tone with just his guitar and amp.
In an interview I found online, Richards said, "I aim to get the sound that I want coming straight out of my amplifier." He went on to talk about his preference, saying, "I expect my sound to be coming out of my amp, and I don’t want to change it once it’s there. I’m not fancy." Keith joked around by adding, "I need my feet to stand up," obviously having a joke about not wanting to dance about clicking pedals on and off with his feet onstage. [1]
Although he doesn't love using pedals, there are some times where the song did call for it. The most famous example - he used a Maestro Fuzz-Tone to create the iconic riff in "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction,".
[2]
In Summary - What To Consider When Dialling In An Amp
Finding your perfect guitar tone is a journey of exploration, patience, and practice.
By understanding the basics of dialling in your amp, experimenting with tone and volume controls, and considering all the other factors like room acoustics and string condition, you can create a tone that’s 100% yours.
Key Points to Remember
Start with neutral amp and guitar settings for a clean tonal foundation.
Adjust tone knobs to soften or brighten your sound.
Experiment with amp placement and room acoustics for better sound.
Let your tone evolve to suit different songs and styles.
Great Amps to Consider When Buying A New Amp
Vox AC15C2 2x12" 15-watt Tube Combo Amp
I thought I would highlight a product that I personally owned in the past. I love Vox amplifiers - might be my love of the Beatles - and this was my first 'real' amp. I still use it today.
Sources
About The Author
Matt A, Founder and Head Writer @ Music Thought House
Matt is a lifelong musician who picked up his first guitar at the age of 10 and hasn’t looked back since. With years of experience playing in bands, Mat t has used the years to level up his skills in writing, recording, and producing.
His passion for the technical side and history sides of music led him to create Music Thought House with a visions to help people understand all aspects of the musical journey. Matt combines his love for music and a vision to break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand content - something that he found lacking around the internet.
Whether you are a seasoned musician or just starting out, Matt’s articles are written to help and inform music lovers at every level.
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