Should I Stay or Should I Go

Q: What gear was used for the Should I Stay or Should I Go guitar tone?

The available research points to Gibson Les Paul Custom into Mesa/Boogie Mark II. See the full signal chain and individual evidence notes on this page.

Q: What tuning is Should I Stay or Should I Go in?

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

Q: How can I recreate the Should I Stay or Should I Go 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.

The Clash

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Tuned to the exact gear you own

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The recording

Recorded at Wessex Studios in Highbury, London, during August 1979, "Should I Stay or Should I Go" features Mick Jones and Joe Strummer on electric guitars. Engineer Bill Price captured the guitars with close‑mic techniques, using a pair of microphones positioned in front of the amplifiers, allowing the bright Telecaster tone and the clean Twin Reverb to cut through the mix. The track’s rhythmic drive comes from tight down‑strokes and a slight overdrive added in the studio.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Signal chain

Reported gear

1963 Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Joe Strummer used a 1963 Fender Telecaster on the London Calling sessions, providing the bright, cutting rhythm and lead tones heard on "Should I Stay or Should I Go". (Guitar.com, 2024)

1963 Fender Twin Reverb

Amp

The band recorded the guitars through a Fender Twin Reverb amp, set with the tone knob around 7–8 and a light overdrive for extra grit, as suggested by guitar tone guides for the track. (Guitar Chalk, 2023)

Alternatives

Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster

Budget alternative · for the 1963 Fender Telecaster

$350 to $450

Fender Mustang LT25

Budget alternative · for the 1963 Fender Twin Reverb

$200 to $300

Practical playing approach

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

1.Select the bridge pickup for a bright, cutting tone
2.Attack each chord with aggressive down‑strokes, keeping the rhythm tight
3.Add a light overdrive pedal to taste for extra grit on the solo
4.Use a slight palm‑mute on verses to tighten the low‑end

Sources

Amp Settings for Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash The Gear Used by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones on The Clash’s ‘London Calling’The Clash: London Calling Production Notes Mick Jones 1976-1979 – youremyguitarhero Should I Stay or Should I Go – Wikipedia

Frequently asked questions

What gear was used for the Should I Stay or Should I Go guitar tone?

The available research points to 1963 Fender Telecaster into 1963 Fender Twin Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.

Are the original Should I Stay or Should I Go 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 Should I Stay or Should I Go 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 Should I Stay or Should I Go 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.