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The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show (Concert Version) Guitar Tone Settings
The Band · 1970s · rock
live
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups
Amp
Fender Tweed Amp (likely Bassman or Deluxe, era-correct)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Live concert version, early 1970s (likely 1971 Academy of Music). No evidence of pedals or effects beyond amp. Sources specify bridge pickup, dry amp, minimal reverb. Studio and live tones are similar for this era and song.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass5
Gain5
Reverb2
Treble7.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- bright and cutting
- thin and trebly
- high-mid emphasis
- aggressive attack
- dry with minimal ambience
- articulate and percussive
- not scooped, strong mids
- bridge pickup bite
- edge-of-breakup crunch
- clear note separation
Notes & Caveats
- No explicit numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on era-correct Fender Tweed amp, genre, and detailed tone descriptors from sources.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used; sources and audio confirm dry, direct amp tone.
- Exact amp model not specified in sources, but Fender Tweed (Bassman or Deluxe) is era- and artist-correct.
- Pickup choice (bridge) is strongly supported by source descriptions.
- Settings reflect live concert version, not studio.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Robbie Robertson's tone on this live cut is classic 'edge of breakup' with a warm, mid-forward, slightly compressed sound typical of a cranked Fender or similar amp from the era. The guitar sits forward in the mix, with rounded highs, punchy mids, and a touch of spring reverb for space, matching The Band's rootsy rock style.