How can I recreate the Cissy Strut 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.

Cissy Strut

Q: What gear was used for the Cissy Strut guitar tone?

The available research points to Gibson ES-175 into Fender Tube Combo Amplifier. See the full signal chain and individual evidence notes on this page.

Q: What tuning is Cissy Strut in?

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

The Meters

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The recording

Leo Nocentelli laid down the iconic clean funk rhythm on a Telecaster, using the neck pickup and a light, percussive attack. The guitar was recorded dry through a vintage Fender Twin Reverb head at Sea‑Saint Studios, capturing the natural compression and sparkle of the amp’s clean channel.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Signal chain

Reported gear

1965 Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Nocentelli used a 1965 Fender Telecaster for the rhythm part on "Cissy Strut", favoring the neck pickup for its warm, articulate tone.

1969 Fender Twin Reverb

Amp

The Telecaster was routed into a vintage 1969 Fender Twin Reverb head, delivering a pristine clean channel with the amp’s natural tube compression and bright sparkle.

Alternatives

Fender Player Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Fender Telecaster

$500 to $600

Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue

Reissue · for the 1969 Fender Twin Reverb

$2,500 to $3,000

Practical playing approach

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

1.Select the neck pickup and roll back the tone knob for a smoother funk tone.
2.Play with a light, percussive attack, emphasizing the off‑beats and muting strings with the left hand.
3.Set the amp clean channel to full volume with no gain or overdrive to let the tube’s natural compression shape the sound.

Sources

That Song is Phenomenal: Leo Nocentelli Reveals the Origins of the Meters Classic “Cissy Strut”Leo Nocentelli – Vintage Guitar® magazine The Meters Man Sounds Off – Lifestyle – Dunlop

Frequently asked questions

What gear was used for the Cissy Strut guitar tone?

The available research points to 1965 Fender Telecaster into 1969 Fender Twin Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.

Are the original Cissy Strut 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 Cissy Strut 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 Cissy Strut 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.