GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Going Down Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Freddie King
Freddie King · 1970s · blues
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson ES-335
Pickups
Humbucker (stock Gibson ES-335 pickups, likely 1970s T-Top)
Amp
Fender Quad Reverb (mid-1970s, silverface, non-drip edge)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1971. Gear confirmed for this era and song by multiple sources. No evidence of pedals or outboard effects used on the solo; amp reverb likely engaged.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5
Gain5.5
Reverb5.5
Treble6.5
Presence5
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Tone Character
- biting blues lead
- warm and punchy
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- edge-of-breakup crunch
- singing sustain
- bright but not harsh
- full-bodied midrange
- clear note separation
- expressive phrasing
- slight natural compression from amp
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio documentation of exact amp knob settings; bass at 3, volume at 10, and tone at 4 are from forum consensus and ear-based analysis.
- No evidence of pedals or outboard effects used on the original studio solo; all effects are amp-based.
- Presence setting is estimated based on typical Fender Quad Reverb voicing for blues leads.
- Pickup choice inferred from brighter, biting solo tone; likely bridge pickup but not 100% confirmed by studio notes.
- Settings are for studio recording, not live performances.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Freddie King's 'Going Down' solo features a classic early '70s blues-rock tone: edge-of-breakup with rich mids, full bass, and moderate treble for warmth and bite. He likely used a cranked tube amp (often a Fender or Gibson combo) with moderate spring reverb, settings tailored for expressive, dynamic blues phrasing.