Tone library / Creedence Clearwater / Fortunate Son

Fortunate Son amp settings — Guitar Amplifier AG-35R

The Creedence Clearwater guitar tone for “Fortunate Son”, dialed in for a Guitar Amplifier AG-35R with a Ibanez Arc300. Studio version, Willy and the Poor Boys (1969)

Original rig

Kustom K-200A-4 amp with tremolo, Rickenbacker 325 or Gibson Les Paul with P-90s, no pedals on rhythm track — amp driven to edge of breakup

Crisp, biting rhythm with pronounced pick attack, midrange-forward clarity, subtle grit on the edge of breakup

Amp settings — Guitar Amplifier AG-35R

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	5
Bass	4
Mid	7
Treble	7
Reverb	2
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE9 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The AG-35R is an unrecognized practice amp — settings based on near-universal gain/bass/mid/treble/reverb controls; presence set to null as most practice amps lack it. Fogerty's Kustom had solid-state clarity with high mids; push mid to 7 and treble to 7 to get the pick attack and note definition. Keep gain moderate at 5 — the original was clean-ish with just a touch of hair, not crunchy. Reverb low at 2 for studio dryness.

PRO TIPPick close to the bridge with a firm downstroke attack and slight palm muting release — Fogerty's signature bite comes from aggressive right-hand technique more than amp gain. Roll tone to 9 to tame any fizz from the solid-state preamp while keeping the sparkle.

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These settings are for a Guitar Amplifier AG-35R. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.