Kenny Burrell’s tone is smooth, warm,
and well-rounded, with clear note articulation and a mellow character.
To approximate his tone, here’s how we can dial in the Gibson Les Paul
and Fender Blues Jr. III:
Les Paul
- Pickup Selector: Neck Pickup (490R): Select the
neck pickup for its warm and smooth tone characteristics.
- Volume Knob: 7–9: Adjust the volume knob slightly
to reduce the signal and enhance dynamic control.
- Tone Knob: 5–7: Reduce the tone knob to achieve a
mellow and smoky jazz tone. This adjustment reduces any harsh
highs.
Actual Settings for Les Paul
- Pickup Position: Neck
- Master Volume: 9
- Master Tone: 5
Fender Blues Jr. III
- Volume: 4.0–4.5: Since the 490R pickup has a warm,
slightly higher output, keep the amp’s preamp gain modest to avoid
unintended breakup.
- Fat: OFF: This avoids adding too
much low-mid focus, as the 490R already has a full-bodied tone.
- Treble: 4.5–5.0: Roll this down a bit more for the
Les Paul to keep the highs sweet and not too bright.
- Bass: 6.5–7.0: Boost the bass slightly to
complement the Les Paul’s natural warmth and sustain.
- Middle: 5.0–5.5: Keep the mids neutral to retain
clarity without pushing into a honky midrange.
- Master: 3.5–5.0: Adjust based on your playing
environment. Let the power tubes work a little if you’re in a situation
where higher volume is possible.
- Reverb: 2.5–3.0: A subtle amount of reverb adds
depth and ambiance without overshadowing your tone.
Actual Settings for
Fender Blues Jr. III
- Volume: 4.0
- Fat: OFF
- Treble: 4.5
- Bass: 7.0
- Middle: 5.0
- Master: 5.0
- Reverb: 2.5