Tone library / Wings / Band on the run

Band on the run amp settings — Fender Blues Junior IV

The Wings guitar tone for “Band on the run”, dialed in for a Fender Blues Junior IV with a Fender American Ultra Stratocaster. Studio version, Band on the Run album (1973)

Original rig

Fender/Vox amplification, likely Fender Telecaster or Epiphone Casino for lead lines, recorded at EMI Lagos and AIR Studios London

Warm, articulate clean with slight edge-of-breakup compression and lush spring reverb
Amp settings — Fender Blues Junior IV
BRIGHToff
GAIN 4 BASS 5 MID 6 TREBLE 5 PRESENCE 0 REVERB 4 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain4
Bass5
Mid6
Treble5
Presence0
Reverb4
Master5
Don’t have a Fender Blues Junior IV? Match your own rig →
Guitar
PICKUPneck TONE7 VOLUME8
Why these settings

The original tone was warmer and rounder than a typical Strat sound—McCartney favored humbuckers or single coils rolled off. Your Ultra Strat's neck pickup is brighter than the original guitars, so I've dropped treble to 5 (vs a typical 6-7) and rolled tone knob to 7 to tame the high-end. Volume at 8 allows the signal to compress slightly without full attack. FAT switch OFF—the lead lines need clarity, not mid-boost thickness.

PRO TIPPick closer to the neck joint (not over the pickups) and use the fleshy part of your thumb/pick angle to get that round, woody 70s lead attack—the tone lives in the pick position as much as the amp.

Get this tone on your amp

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

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play
More tones for the Fender Blues Junior IV
DespacitoLuis Fonsi & Daddy YankeeHoly Wars... The Punishment DueMegadethAnimal i have becomeThree days greceBack to the old houseMac DeMarcoI Hate Myself and Want to Die (2013 Mix)NirvanaI Wanna Be YoursArctic Monkeys
Find your amp
Browse
Fender Blues Junior IV settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Wings tonesALL SONGS Fender American Ultra Stratocaster tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.

Get ToneAdapt — first match free