Tone library / a-ha / Take On Me

Take On Me amp settings — Sundown Rover 15r

The a-ha guitar tone for “Take On Me”, dialed in for a Sundown Rover 15r with a Jay Turser Jt-300. Studio version, Hunting High and Low (1985 release, Alan Tarney mix)

Original rig

Gibson ES-335 / Rickenbacker electric + acoustic direct into SSL console with AMS/Lexicon studio digital reverb & stereo delay

Percussive, chiming, ultra-clean 80s rhythmic palm-muted and strummed accents
Amp settings — Sundown Rover 15r
CHANNELClean
GAIN 2 BASS 4 MID 6 TREBLE 7 REVERB 4 MASTER 6
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass4
Mid6
Treble7
Reverb4
Master6
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge+middle TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Compressor / Sustainer (e.g. Boss CS-3)

RECOMMENDED — not owned

Level 7 · Tone 6 · Attack 5 · Sustain 6

02Stereo Chorus (e.g. Boss CE-2)

RECOMMENDED — not owned

Rate 4 · Depth 6
Why these settings

The Sundown Rover 15R is set strictly to its clean channel with gain low to avoid any solid-state clipping. The Jay Turser JT-300's Strat-style in-between pickup position (bridge+middle) gives the signature 'quack' and high-end transient bite heard in 80s synth-pop rhythm tracking. Treble is raised while keeping the bass tight to emulate the direct-to-board studio cut. For the chorus acoustic strumming section: switch to the neck+middle position and strum aggressively near the bridge.

PRO TIPUse a thin pick (.60mm or less) and execute crisp, tight palm muting on the bridge saddles to get the syncopated 'thunk' that locks in with the LinnDrum pattern.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Sundown Rover 15r. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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