Tone library / James Taylor / Fire and Rain

Fire and Rain amp settings — Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus

The James Taylor guitar tone for “Fire and Rain”, dialed in for a Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus with a PRS SE Custom 24. Studio version, Sweet Baby James album (1970) — original recording uses acoustic guitar only, no electric

Original rig

Acoustic guitar (likely Gibson J-50 or early Martin), fingerpicked with capo at 3rd fret, no amp — direct or mic'd acoustic

Warm, intimate fingerpicked acoustic with round bass notes and soft treble; clean, dry, no effects

Amp settings — Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus

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Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	0
Bass	6
Mid	5
Treble	3
Presence	0
Reverb	2
Master	3

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Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE4 VOLUME6

Why these settings

The original has zero electric guitar — this is a pure acoustic fingerpicking song. Your JC-40 is actually ideal for approximating acoustic warmth due to its pristine clean headroom. Treble dropped to 3 and tone knob rolled to 4 tames the PRS humbuckers' brightness to approach nylon-string warmth. Neck pickup at reduced volume (6) softens attack. The JC-40's inherent clarity works in your favor here; keep it clean and quiet.

PRO TIPPlay fingerstyle near the neck joint (not over the soundhole position) and use the fleshy pad of your fingertips rather than nails — this removes pick attack and string squeak, getting you closer to Taylor's pillowy acoustic tone on an electric.

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These settings are for a Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus. 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.