Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
Mercer tracked the guitar in his Albuquerque apartment using a Tascam 424 4‑track recorder. He played a clean, slightly overdriven Telecaster through a 1965 Fender Twin Reverb, double‑tracking the part and adding a modest amount of spring reverb. The bridge pickup was used for its bright attack, and the signal was captured with a Shure SM57 placed close to the amp speaker.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Reported gear
1970s Fender Telecaster
Guitar
Mercer recorded the rhythm guitar on a 1970s Fender Telecaster, using the bridge pickup for a bright, jangly tone that defines the song’s verses.
1965 Fender Twin Reverb
Amp
The Telecaster was run through a vintage 1965 Fender Twin Reverb, its clean channel and built‑in spring reverb providing the spacious backdrop heard on the mix.
Alternatives
Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster
Modern equivalent · for the 1970s 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.Pick lightly near the bridge to capture the song’s airy tone.
- 2.Use the bridge pickup and roll the tone knob back slightly for a smoother high‑end.
- 3.Add a short spring reverb or a small hall reverb to replicate the spacious feel.
- 4.Double‑track the part and pan one copy left and the other right for depth.
- 5.Fingerpick the open chords instead of strumming to achieve the intimate texture.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the New Slang guitar tone?
The available research points to 1970s Fender Telecaster into 1965 Fender Twin Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original New Slang 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 New Slang 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 New Slang 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.
