Tone library / Buddy Guy / Mustang Sally

Mustang Sally amp settings — Fender Champion 40

The Buddy Guy guitar tone for “Mustang Sally”, dialed in for a Fender Champion 40 with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Damn Right, I've Got the Blues (1991)

Original rig

Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster (Lace Sensor Gold, mid-boost/TBX) into cranked Fender '59 Bassman / Marshall JCM800 setup

Aggressive, stinging, mid-boosted Strat bite with dynamic touch-sensitive crunch
Amp settings — Fender Champion 40
CHANNELChannel 2 (Voice: Tweed Bassman / '50s Tweed)
GAIN 4 BASS 5 TREBLE 7 REVERB 2 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain4
Bass5
Treble7
Reverb2
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPneck+middle TONE9 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

Used to push mid frequencies and recreate the active Strat mid-boost circuit

Drive 3 · Tone 7 · Level 8
Why these settings

The Champion 40 only features 2-band EQ (Bass and Treble), so set the Voice selector to the 1950s Tweed voice to get the core Bassman grit. Because your Ibanez humbuckers are warmer and darker than Buddy's Lace Sensor Strat, the TS9 acts as an active mid-boost with Tone at 7 and Level at 8, while the guitar is set to the split neck+middle position for that signature Strat snap.

PRO TIPDig in hard with fingers or a sharp pick angle right near the bridge for Buddy's aggressive attack, then lighten your touch to instantly clean up the crunch.

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These settings are for a Fender Champion 40. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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