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.
To recreate the clean, melodic tone of 'Choo Lo' by The Local Train, we use the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s for its single-coil brightness and the Fender Mustang LT25 for its clean amp modeling capabilities. The Mustang's 'FENDER CLEAN' preset provides a solid foundation, which we enhance with subtle reverb for ambient effects.
Signal chain settings
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s — Main rhythm tone
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup Selector | Middle Pickup | Middle pickup offers a balanced tone with clarity, ideal for the clean sound of the song. |
| Master Volume | 8 | Set to 8 for a strong signal without overdriving the amp. |
| Tone 1 | 7 | Tone 1 at 7 keeps the brightness in check, maintaining warmth. |
| Tone 2 | 10 | Tone wide open — roll it down to soften the high end. |
Fender Mustang LT25 — Clean amp modeling
| 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 maintain clean headroom with slight edge-of-breakup. |
| Volume | 6 | Volume at 6 ensures the guitar cuts through without overpowering. |
| Treble | 6 | Treble at 6 adds subtle brightness without harshness, matching the song's tone. |
| Bass | 5 | Bass at 5 keeps the low end balanced and clear. |
| Master | 6 | Output level — set to the volume you're playing at; this sets loudness, not tone. |
| Effects | Reverb | Engage reverb to add subtle room ambiance, enhancing the song's intimate feel. Using the amp's Menu Button and Preset Select, open the effects list to reach it. Start around Level 3-4/10 on a room or plate type — just enough space, not a cave. Press Save Button to keep it in this preset. |
| 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