Johnny Be Good amp settings — Fender Champion II 100
The Back To The Future guitar tone for “Johnny Be Good”, dialed in for a Fender Champion II 100 with a Fender Vintera 60s Stratocaster. Studio soundtrack, Back to the Future (1985) - Tim May session recording
Valley Arts S-style (rosewood body, single coils with onboard mid-boost, Floyd Rose) through Fender Blackface Vibrolux
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 4 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 6 |
Your Champion 100 is solid-state with digital voicing, so it won't break up naturally like May's tube Vibrolux. Use the Overdrive channel on its lowest voice setting to get mild grit without fizz. Mid pushed to 7 compensates for the Champion's natural mid-scoop and replicates the mid-boost May had onboard his Valley Arts. Treble at 6 keeps the Strat's bridge pickup bright but not ice-picky. Your Vintera 60s Strat with vintage-voiced single coils is actually closer to the original tone than a modern hot-rodded guitar would be.
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These settings are for a Fender Champion II 100. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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