Choo Lo by The Local Train — Amp Settings & Guitar Tone
Reference tone dialed on a Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster into a Fender Mustang LT25. Settings below are cited from real sources; open the page in a browser for the interactive version, or get this tone dialed for your exact gear.
For 'Choo Lo' by The Local Train, we'll use the Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster with its bright single-coil pickups, paired with the Fender Mustang LT25 set to the 'FENDER CLEAN' preset. This combination captures the clean, bright tone with a subtle edge-of-breakup and ambient reverb, essential for the song's indie rock vibe.
Signal chain settings
Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster — Main guitar
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Master Volume | 8 | Set to 8 for dynamic control without losing clarity in the clean tone. |
| Tone 1 | 7 | Tone 1 at 7 to maintain warmth without losing brightness. |
| Tone 2 | 7 | Tone 2 at 7 to keep the bridge pickup from being too harsh. |
| 5-Position Blade Switch | Neck Pickup | Neck pickup for a warm, clean tone that suits the intro section. |
Fender Mustang LT25 — Main amp
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preset | [01] FENDER CLEAN | Closest match to the American clean amp character needed for the song. |
| Gain | 4 | Set to 4 to keep the tone clean with a slight edge-of-breakup. |
| Volume | 5 | Balanced volume for consistent output without overpowering the mix. |
| Treble | 6 | Treble at 6 to emphasize brightness without harshness. |
| Bass | 5 | Bass at 5 to maintain a balanced EQ character. |
| Master | 5 | Master at 5 to ensure headroom and clarity. |
| Cabinet build | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Amp Models | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
What The Local Train actually used
The specific recording gear used by The Local Train for 'Choo Lo' is not publicly documented. The above signal chain is an estimation based on common equipment used by alternative rock bands during the mid-2010s.
- Fender Stratocaster — main rhythm
- Gibson Les Paul — lead overdub
- Marshall JCM800 — main amplifier
- Boss DS-1 Distortion — distortion effect
- Electro-Harmonix Memory Man — delay effect
- Lexicon 480L — reverb
Tuning: Standard
Sources
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/classic-vibe-stratocaster-60s/0303010500.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1547905/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/guitar-amplifiers/contemporary-digital/mustang-lt25/2311100000.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3126493/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Local_Train