Guitar tone · rock

The Tragically Hip guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 6 The Tragically Hip songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: 1973 Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups) into Mesa/Boogie Mark III head into 2x12 cab.

Guitars The Tragically Hip used

1973 Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)1 song
1970s Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, likely American Vintage or original 1970s model)1 song
1973 Fender Stratocaster (Rob Baker's main guitar for the album)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 19721 song
1973 Fender Stratocaster1 song
1973 Fender Stratocaster (brown, Rob Baker's main guitar for the album)1 song

Amps The Tragically Hip used

Mesa/Boogie Mark III head into 2x12 cab1 song
Mesa Boogie Mark IV1 song
Mesa/Boogie Mark III head with 2x12 cab (Rob Baker), possibly blended with 1959 Fender Bassman (studio, per Lanois' gear used on every track)1 song
Unknown (not specified in sources for this recording/session)1 song
Mesa/Boogie Mark III head into 2x12 cab, possibly blended with 1959 Fender Bassman1 song
Mesa/Boogie Mark III head with 2x12 cab; 1959 Fender Bassman (used on every track, possibly blended); possible Randall amp (Paul Langlois, but not primary for this part)1 song

6 The Tragically Hip tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Little Bones · riff	Riff · distorted	1973 Fender Stratocaster	Mesa/Boogie Mark III head into 2x12 cab, possibly blended with 1959 Fender Bassman	6
Long Time Running · riff	Riff · distorted	1973 Fender Stratocaster (brown, Rob Baker's main guitar for the album)	Mesa/Boogie Mark III head with 2x12 cab; 1959 Fender Bassman (used on every track, possibly blended); possible Randall amp (Paul Langlois, but not primary for this part)	4
Courage (For Hugh MacLennan) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 1972	Unknown (not specified in sources for this recording/session)	5
Looking For a Place To Happen · riff	Riff · distorted	1973 Fender Stratocaster (Rob Baker's main guitar for the album)	Mesa/Boogie Mark III head with 2x12 cab (Rob Baker), possibly blended with 1959 Fender Bassman (studio, per Lanois' gear used on every track)	5.5
New Orleans Is Sinking · riff	Riff · distorted	1973 Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)	Mesa/Boogie Mark III head into 2x12 cab	5.5
The Wherewithal · riff	Riff · distorted	1970s Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, likely American Vintage or original 1970s model)	Mesa Boogie Mark IV	6

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did The Tragically Hip use?

Across 6 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Mesa/Boogie Mark III head into 2x12 cab (1 song), Mesa Boogie Mark IV (1 song), Mesa/Boogie Mark III head with 2x12 cab (Rob Baker), possibly blended with 1959 Fender Bassman (studio, per Lanois' gear used on every track) (1 song), Unknown (not specified in sources for this recording/session) (1 song).

What guitar did The Tragically Hip use?

Most often: 1973 Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups) (1 song), 1970s Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, likely American Vintage or original 1970s model) (1 song), 1973 Fender Stratocaster (Rob Baker's main guitar for the album) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 1972 (1 song).

How do I get The Tragically Hip's tone on my amp?

Open any The Tragically Hip song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.