Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
The 2012 hit 'Cruise' features a bright, clean electric rhythm guitar recorded in a Nashville studio with producer Joey Moi. Tyler Hubbard’s Telecaster part is double‑tracked through a clean Fender Twin Reverb, while an acoustic guitar underpins the chord progression. The electric tone is slightly chorused, giving the modern country‑pop sheen that sits beneath the vocals.
Tuning E A D G B E
Signal chain
Reported gear
1972 Fender Telecaster
Guitar
Tyler Hubbard is known for using a 1972 Fender Telecaster on his recordings, and it is generally attributed to his rhythm work on 'Cruise' as noted in his Fender artist profile.
1963 Fender Twin Reverb
Amp
The clean Telecaster tone was recorded through a 1963 Fender Twin Reverb, as mentioned in the Fender artist profile discussing the 'Cruise' session.
Alternatives
Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster
Budget alternative · for the 1972 Fender Telecaster
Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb
Budget alternative · for the 1963 Fender Twin Reverb
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Set the Telecaster to the bridge pickup for a bright, cutting tone.
- 2.Dial a clean amp setting with a touch of reverb; keep gain low.
- 3.Add a subtle chorus pedal to thicken the rhythm part.
- 4.Strum open chords with a relaxed, even attack to let the strings ring.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Cruise guitar tone?
The available research points to 1972 Fender Telecaster into 1963 Fender Twin Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Cruise 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 Cruise in?
The current research record lists E A D G B E. ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Cruise 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.
