Happy Birthday amp settings — Vox AC15C1
The Black Country, New Road guitar tone for “Happy Birthday”, dialed in for a Vox AC15C1 with a Fender Player Telecaster. Studio version, Forever Howlong (2025)
Likely Fender-style single-coil guitar into clean amp (Vox or Fender-type) with minimal processing — clean, jangly arpeggios with natural room reverb
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 2 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Reverb | 3 |
| Master | 5 |
AC15C1 naturally excels at this clean, chiming tone — its Class A circuit and EL84 tubes deliver the touch-sensitivity and treble sparkle heard on the recording. Gain kept minimal (2) to preserve clean headroom. Bass at 4 prevents muddiness with neck pickup. Treble at 6 provides shimmer without harshness. The AC15's inherent compression handles the dynamics. RAT2 stays bypassed — this tone is pure clean amp.
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These settings are for a Vox AC15C1. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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