How can I recreate the What Is Hip? 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.

What Is Hip?

Q: What tuning is What Is Hip? in?

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

Tower of Power

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The recording

The song 'What Is Hip?' was recorded in 1973 for the self-titled album 'Tower of Power' at both Kaye-Smith Studios in Seattle and the Record Plant in Sausalito. The track production was handled by the band themselves with engineer Jim Gaines. This session marked the arrival of guitarist Bruce Conte, who replaced Willie Fulton. The guitar part is renowned for its rhythmically precise, staccato, syncopated funk style that complements the tight horn section and the legendary 'fingerstyle funk' bass lines of Francis Rocco Prestia.

Tuning Standard

Signal chain

Original gear

Gibson Les Paul Recording

Guitar · Riff

Bruce Conte utilized Gibson instruments during this era to achieve his signature thick yet articulate funk tone.

Fender Twin Reverb

Amp · Riff

Standard studio workhorse for clean, high-headroom funk rhythm guitars in the 1970s.

Sources

Mixonline: Classic Tracks: Tower of Power's 'What Is Hip'Discogs: Tower of Power (1973)Wikipedia: Tower of Power (album)

Frequently asked questions

What gear was used for the What Is Hip? guitar tone?

The available research points to Gibson Les Paul Recording into Fender Twin Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.

Are the original What Is Hip? 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 What Is Hip? in?

The current research record lists Standard. ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.

How do I recreate the What Is Hip? 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.