Fluorescent Adolescent amp settings — Marshall MG15
The Arctic Monkeys guitar tone for “Fluorescent Adolescent”, dialed in for a Marshall MG15 with a Keiper Las Paul. Studio version, Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
Vox AC-30 / Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, Epiphone Dot semi-hollow, Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, MXR Phase 90, Boss DD-3
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 5 |
| Bass | 3 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Master | 6 |
01Tube Screamer style overdrive (TS9 / TS Mini / Joyo Vintage OD)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for the gritty-but-defined Arctic Monkeys crunch. Without this, the MG15's overdrive will sound harsher and less dynamic. A Joyo Vintage Overdrive or Behringer TO800 are budget options under $30.
The original used Vox/Fender amps which have scooped, chimey mids — the MG15 is naturally more mid-forward and grittier, so I've pushed mids to 7 to replicate that punchy cut-through but dropped treble to 5 to avoid the MG's tendency toward fizz. Bass at 3 keeps it tight like the original's punchy low end. Without a Tube Screamer, you'll get a usable approximation but it will lack the smooth compression and mid-hump that defines this tone.
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These settings are for a Marshall MG15. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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