Tone library / Alice in Chains / Nutshell

Nutshell amp settings — Marshall Valvestate 8080

The Alice in Chains guitar tone for “Nutshell”, dialed in for a Marshall Valvestate 8080 with a DIA Les Paul Lawsuit Era. Studio cut, Jar of Flies (1994) — Main electric solo tone

Original rig

G&L Rampage (Seymour Duncan JB) -> Bogner Fish Preamp (Shark/Brown channel) -> Marshall power section -> Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab

Warm, singing mid-forward high-gain lead with smooth sustain and ambient plate/hall reverb

Amp settings — Marshall Valvestate 8080

CHANNELBoost Channel (OD2)BOOSTon

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	7
Treble	5
Presence	5
Reverb	5
Master	4

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Behringer S100 Compressor Sustainer

In front of amp to even out pick attack and extend solo sustain

Sustain 6 · Level 7 · Attack 5 · Tone 5

02BOSS Foot Wah FW-3

Engage parked/cocked roughly midway for signature Cantrell vocal filter if needed, otherwise bypassed

Peak 6

03Ibanez Soundtank DL5 Digital Delay

(FX loop) Subtle medium slapback/ambient echo to recreate studio space

Level 4 · Feedback 3 · D.Time 5

Why these settings

The Valvestate 8080's 12AX7-driven Boost OD2 mode closely replicates the aggressive yet compressed upper-mids of Cantrell's Bogner Fish and Marshall power section. Set the Contour knob on OD2 around 4 to retain punchy midrange body without thinning into a harsh modern scoop. Roll the Les Paul's bridge tone knob down slightly to 8 to tame high-end fizz and replicate the thick, darker warmth of the studio track.

PRO TIPCantrell's signature lead voice relies heavily on slow, wide vibrato with aggressive string digging; dig in with the side of a heavy pick right next to the bridge pickup to coax natural harmonic overtones during sustained notes.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall Valvestate 8080. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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