Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
Joe Walsh recorded his guitar parts for “Funk #49” in November 1969 at ABC Studios, using a 1961 Fender Telecaster set with low action and a light‑gauge nylon pick. The signal ran through a 1965 Fender Twin Reverb, and the track was mixed with Walsh’s guitar panned hard right, giving it a distinct presence in the stereo field. Producer Bill Szymczyk and engineer Kenneth Hamann captured the raw, percussive tone with minimal processing, preserving the natural amp breakup.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Reported gear
1961 Fender Telecaster
Guitar
Walsh used a 1961 Fender Telecaster with lowered action and a light‑gauge nylon pick, delivering the raunchy, percussive rhythm tone heard on ‘Funk #49’.
1965 Fender Twin Reverb
Amp
The Telecaster was run through a 1965 Fender Twin Reverb, whose clean, high‑headroom tone was pushed into natural breakup for the gritty sound on ‘Funk #49’.
Alternatives
Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster
Modern equivalent · for the 1961 Fender Telecaster
Fender ’65 Twin Reverb Reissue
Reissue · for the 1965 Fender Twin Reverb
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Use a light‑gauge nylon or thin pick for a percussive attack.
- 2.Set the Telecaster's action low to increase string bite and sustain.
- 3.Dial the Twin Reverb’s volume high and keep the tone control bright to achieve the raunchy rhythm sound.
- 4.Play the main riff with tight, palm‑muted downstrokes on the low strings for that funky groove.
- 5.Pan your guitar hard right in the mix to emulate the original stereo placement.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Funk #49 guitar tone?
The available research points to 1961 Fender Telecaster into 1965 Fender Twin Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Funk #49 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 Funk #49 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 Funk #49 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.
