Tone Settings for Roundabout by Yes (guitar and amp)

1. Volume

• Set volume knob on guitar to full (10) for maximum output and dynamics
• Amp volume should be moderately high to leverage tube saturation if using a tube amp
• Adjust volume via picking intensity for dynamic variation similar to Steve Howe’s technique

2. Tone

• Keep tone control on guitar around 7–8 for a warm but slightly bright sound
• Use amp EQ with mids slightly boosted, treble around 6–7, and bass around 4–5
• Consider using a clean boost or mild overdrive to add sustain and clarity

3. Pickup Selector

• Use the neck pickup for the mellow fingerpicked intro tone
• Switch to the bridge pickup for the gritty, overdriven main riff section
• Middle position (both pickups) can be used for blending sustain and brightness

4. Humbucker or Single Coil Preferred?

• Single coil preferred for the articulation and clarity (Steve Howe used a Gibson ES-175 with a single-coil neck pickup on the recording)
• Humbuckers can be used but may sound too warm or compressed for some sections
• Consider P-90 pickups for a balance between humbucker warmth and single-coil bite

5. Ideal guitar type which is a Electric (Semi-Hollow)

• Gibson ES-175 or similar archtop semi-hollow body electric guitar
• Semi-hollow body adds resonance and warmth suitable for jazz-inspired articulation
• Look for models with floating bridges and good clean sustain
• Light gauge strings can help maintain clarity during fast runs and arpeggios

• Rickenbacker 330 or 360: Bright, jangly tone similar to Steve Howe’s semi-hollow body sounds
• Fender Stratocaster: Good for clean tones and expressive vibrato
• Gibson ES-175: Howe’s actual guitar for the main parts; warm, articulate jazz-box tone
• Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress: Used by Howe for flanger/phaser textures
• Dunlop Cry Baby Wah: For expression during solos and dynamic sections
• BOSS CE-2 Chorus: Adds shimmer and width for clean arpeggios
• MXR Phase 90: Classic phase modulation for swirly textures
• Fender Twin Reverb: Clean and articulate amp suitable for complex chord voicings
• Vox AC30: Chimey British tone; good alternative for semi-hollow sounds
• Ernie Ball Volume Pedal: Helps shape dynamics, especially for swells and transitions

• Use a clean, slightly overdriven amp setting for the intro acoustic-guitar simulation.
• Apply a phaser or chorus effect subtly on clean rhythm parts for added texture.
• Dial in moderate compression to maintain note clarity during fast arpeggios.
• Use a Rickenbacker-style bass tone with slight fuzz and midrange punch for bass lines.
• Set the lead guitar tone with high mids, moderate gain, and plate-style reverb for solos.
• Minimize delay effects to maintain articulation in complex passages.
• Use flatwound strings on bass to replicate vintage tone and attack.
• EQ keyboards to sit above guitars in the mix with boosted upper mids and presence.
• Maintain dynamic contrast between verses and instrumental sections.
• Use alternate picking for precision in fast guitar riffs.