Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
On "Stella by Starlight", Pass performed a solo guitar rendition recorded at MGM Recording Studios in August 1973. He played his 1960 Gibson ES‑175 directly into the console, foregoing an amplifier; studio compression and equalization were applied to shape the warm, intimate tone heard on the track.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Reported gear
1960 Gibson ES-175
Guitar
Pass used his 1960 Gibson ES‑175 equipped with a DeArmond Model‑89 pickup, playing near the neck pickup for a warm jazz tone.
UREI 1176LN Compressor
Compressor
The direct guitar signal was routed through a UREI 1176LN compressor on the console to even out dynamics while preserving the instrument's natural attack.
Pultec EQP-1A Equalizer
EQ
A Pultec EQP‑1A was applied to add gentle low‑frequency boost and high‑frequency presence, giving the recorded tone its characteristic sheen.
Alternatives
Epiphone ES-175
Modern equivalent · for the 1960 Gibson ES-175
Radial ProEQ-1
Budget alternative · for the Pultec EQP-1A Equalizer
UA 1176 Classic Limiting Amplifier
Modern equivalent · for the UREI 1176LN Compressor
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Use a rest‑stroke picking technique to bring out the bass note before the melody.
- 2.Employ chord‑melody voicings, letting the bass line and melody ring together.
- 3.Maintain a relaxed right‑hand angle to achieve a warm, round tone.
- 4.Apply light finger vibrato on sustained notes for expressiveness.
- 5.Pluck closer to the neck pickup position for a smoother, jazz‑warm sound.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Stella by Starlight guitar tone?
The available research points to 1960 Gibson ES-175. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Stella by Starlight 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 Stella by Starlight 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 Stella by Starlight 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.
