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Born With a Broken Heart Guitar Tone Settings

Kenny Wayne Shepherd · 1990s · blues

studio

Original Recording

Guitar

Fender Stratocaster (custom-painted, 1990s, used on 'Born With a Broken Heart')

Pickups

Fender single-coil pickups (stock or period-correct replacements, exact model unspecified)

Amp

Fender Bassman (vintage, likely 1959 reissue or original, used for studio recording)

Pickup Position

Neck pickup

Studio recording, 1995 (for debut album 'Ledbetter Heights'). Guitar confirmed by artist interview as the custom-painted Strat used on this track. Amp confirmed as Fender Bassman, normal channel preferred for studio. Settings are estimated based on artist's typical approach and era, as no numeric studio settings are published.

Amp Settings

Mids

6.5

Bass

6.5

Gain

4.5

Reverb

3.5

Treble

6.5

Presence

5.5

Effects Chain

Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer · overdrive
Jim Dunlop Wah · wah

Fender Stratocaster → Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer → Jim Dunlop Wah (occasionally) → Fender Bassman (spring reverb on)

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Tone Character

warm and glassy
touch-sensitive
edge-of-breakup crunch
dynamic and responsive
clear note separation
open highs
tight low end
midrange presence
slight amp breakup
percussive pick attack

Notes & Caveats

⚠️No specific numeric amp or pedal settings for the studio recording of 'Born With a Broken Heart' found in sources; amp settings are estimated based on artist's typical approach with Fender Bassman and blues genre.
⚠️Pedalboard details are from live rig and interviews; only pedals confirmed as used on this song or clearly audible are included.
⚠️Pickup model is not specified in sources, but period-correct Fender single-coils are most likely.
⚠️No direct evidence of effects loop use in studio; assumed not used.
⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kenny Wayne Shepherd's riff tone on 'Born With a Broken Heart' is classic Texas blues-rock: edge-of-breakup gain, thick lows, strong mids, and smooth treble, likely using a Strat into a Fender or Dumble-style amp with moderate spring reverb for warmth and space.