How can I recreate the 24K Magic tone on my own amp?

Start from the reported guitar, pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order, then translate that target to your own equipment. ToneTwin models the controls for the amp and pedals you actually choose.

24K Magic

Q: What gear was used for the 24K Magic guitar tone?

The available research points to Fender/Ernie Ball Music Man Stratocaster Style Electric into Universal Audio / Softube Studio DI / Clean Amp Simulation. See the full signal chain and individual evidence notes on this page.

Q: What tuning is 24K Magic in?

The research record lists the tuning as Standard. Check the cited evidence and correction note if the recording has competing published accounts.

Bruno Mars

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Tuned to the exact gear you own

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The recording

The track features a clean, funk‑style rhythm guitar part performed by session guitarist Dave Foreman. His Telecaster was recorded through a Fender Twin Reverb amp, providing a bright, articulate tone that blends with the synth and brass arrangement, as noted in the album’s gear credits.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Signal chain

Reported gear

Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Dave Foreman's electric guitar on '24K Magic' is listed as a Fender Telecaster in the album's gear credits on Equipboard.

Boss CE-2 Chorus pedal

Chorus

A subtle chorus effect can be heard on the guitar; a Boss CE-2 chorus pedal is consistent with the vintage gear referenced in the MusicRadar retro‑gear article.

Fender Twin Reverb

Amplifier

The Telecaster was routed through a Fender Twin Reverb clean amp, also listed among the studio amps used for the album’s guitar tracks on Equipboard.

Alternatives

Fender Player Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Telecaster

$650 to $800

Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue

Reissue · for the Fender Twin Reverb

$1,200 to $1,500

Boss CE-5 Chorus pedal

Modern equivalent · for the Boss CE-2 Chorus pedal

$120 to $150

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1.Select the bridge pickup for a bright, cutting tone.
2.Play tight, muted six‑teenth strums to lock with the groove.
3.Add a light touch of chorus to emulate the subtle modulation heard on the record.
4.Maintain consistent attack for a percussive feel.

Sources

Bruno Mars – 24K Magic - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album We wrote 24K Magic when Uptown Funk was No 1... retro gear that shaped Bruno Mars’ 2016 classic Release “XXIVK Magic” by Bruno Mars – MusicBrainz Bruno Mars 24K Magic Production Techniques

Frequently asked questions

What gear was used for the 24K Magic guitar tone?

The available research points to Fender Telecaster into Fender Twin Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.

Are the original 24K Magic amp settings documented?

Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.

What tuning is 24K Magic in?

The current research record lists Standard (E A D G B E). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.

How do I recreate the 24K Magic tone on my own gear?

Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.

Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.