Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
The guitar parts on 'September' were performed by Johnny Graham (lead) and Al McKay (rhythm). The iconic opening chord riff uses a clean, bright tone likely recorded with the bridge pickup and minimal gain, double‑tracked and panned left/right to create width. The guitars lock tightly with Verdine White's bass, playing tight six‑teenth strums with muted up‑strokes that give the track its percussive funk feel.
Tuning E A D G B E
Signal chain
Reported gear
1965 Fender Telecaster
Guitar
Johnny Graham's primary guitar during the late‑1970s Earth, Wind & Fire sessions, a 1965 Telecaster that delivered the bright, clean tone heard on the rhythm parts of 'September'.
1963 Fender Twin Reverb
Amp
A Fender Twin Reverb, commonly used by the band in the studio, provided the clean headroom and lush tone that underpins the guitar tracks on 'September'.
Alternatives
Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster
Budget alternative · for the 1965 Fender Telecaster
Fender '68 Custom Twin Reverb Reissue
Modern equivalent · for the 1963 Fender Twin Reverb
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Select the bridge pickup and set the tone knob to full.
- 2.Play tight, muted six‑teenth strums with a light left‑hand muting on the up‑strokes.
- 3.Double‑track the rhythm part and pan each take hard left and right for width.
- 4.Use mild compression to even out dynamics without losing the percussive attack.
- 5.Add a subtle plate reverb to give depth while preserving the funky groove.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the September guitar tone?
The available research points to 1965 Fender Telecaster into 1963 Fender Twin Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original September 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 September 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 September 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.
