Can't you hear me knocking amp settings — Fender Princeton Reverb
The Rolling stones guitar tone for “Can't you hear me knocking”, dialed in for a Fender Princeton Reverb with a Schecter Hellraiser C-7. Studio version, Sticky Fingers (1971) — specifically the distorted rhythm/lead tone
Keith Richards: Gibson 5-string open G into Fender Twin Reverb or Ampeg VT-40 with fuzz. Mick Taylor solo: Gibson ES-345 neck humbucker into cranked Silverface Twin Reverb
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 10 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 4 |
| Presence | 3 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 10 |
01Fuzz Face or Big Muff style fuzz
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for this tone. The Princeton alone cannot produce this level of saturation at reasonable volumes. A Big Muff Pi or Fuzz Face clone will get you 85% there. Without this pedal, crank the amp fully and roll guitar volume to 7-8 for cleanup, but expect cleaner results than the original.
Your Schecter Hellraiser has hot active EMG pickups — significantly hotter than Taylor's passive PAF-style ES-345 humbuckers. Treble dropped to 4 (vs original ~6) to tame the EMG's aggressive highs. Bass raised to 6 to maintain body since actives can sound thin when overdriven. The Princeton is a small-wattage amp that breaks up earlier than the Twin used on the recording, so at full volume you will get natural saturation — but a fuzz pedal is still needed to reach that thick, singing sustain heard on the track.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Fender Princeton Reverb. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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