Tone Settings for Message in a Bottle by The Police (guitar and amp)

1. Volume

• Set your guitar volume knob to full (10) for maximum clarity and chime
• On the amplifier, aim for a moderate clean volume setting to avoid breakup
• If using a pedalboard, ensure unity gain is preserved across pedals

2. Tone

• Set guitar tone knob to full or slightly rolled off (around 8–10)
• Amplifier tone controls: keep bass low-to-mid (around 4–5), mids slightly scooped (around 3–4), and treble bright (around 7–8)
• A touch of chorus and slapback delay can add dimension, but keep effects minimal to retain clarity

3. Pickup Selector

• Use the middle position if using a Telecaster (both pickups engaged)
• Alternatively, try the bridge position for bright, sharp attack if you want extra bite
• A neck pickup may be too warm and muddy for the arpeggiated intro riff

4. Humbucker or Single Coil Preferred?

• Single coil pickups are strongly preferred
• They provide the clarity, articulation, and high-end chime ideal for Andy Summers’ clean style
• Humbuckers may sound too thick or dark for the precise, jangly tone of this song

5. Ideal Guitar Type (Electric Tele-style)

• Fender Telecaster or a Tele-style guitar with single coil pickups
• Maple fretboard preferred for added brightness and snappiness
• Vintage-style bridge with brass saddles can enhance twang and sustain
• Light or medium gauge strings (.009s or .010s) for easy articulation and chime

• Fender Stratocaster: Ideal for clean, chiming tones and Andy Summers’ signature style
• Roland JC-120: Provides lush stereo clean tones with built-in chorus, used by Summers
• Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress: Flanger/chorus pedal that contributes to the swirling modulation effects
• Boss CE-2 Chorus: Classic analog chorus pedal for subtle texture
• MXR Dyna Comp: Compressor pedal to even out dynamics and add sustain
• Ibanez Analog Delay (e.g. AD9): Warm delay repeats useful for rhythmic textures
• Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Strings (10–46): Balanced tone and playability for chordal work
• Dunlop Tortex Picks (0.73mm): Good control for chord stabs and arpeggios

• Use a clean, chorus-laden guitar tone to emulate Andy Summers’ distinctive sound.
• Set delay to a subtle slapback or dotted eighth with low feedback for added texture.
• Dial in a bright EQ with boosted high mids to cut through the mix.
• Keep amp gain low; aim for a mildly driven clean signal for clarity in arpeggios.
• Use single-coil pickups for the chimey, articulate tone characteristic of the original recording.
• Apply compression lightly to even out dynamics during fast picking passages.
• Maintain tight right-hand picking control to ensure note separation and rhythmic precision.
• For the solo, use slight overdrive with sustained phrasing; avoid excessive distortion.