Paranoid amp settings — Vox AC15C1

The Black Sabbath guitar tone for “Paranoid”, dialed in for a Vox AC15C1 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Paranoid (1970) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

1965 Gibson SG Special (P90s) -> modified Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster -> Laney LA100BL Supergroup 100W head (Bass 0, Mid 10, Treble 10, Presence 10) -> Laney 4x12 cabs

Raw, mid-heavy proto-metal crunch with pushed upper midrange and tight, trimmed low-end

Amp settings — Vox AC15C1

CHANNELTop Boost

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	3
Treble	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

Don’t have a Vox AC15C1? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Dallas Rangemaster (Treble Booster)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (run direct into amp input)

Boost 8

Why these settings

The AC15C1 lacks an onboard midrange knob and uses Tone Cut instead of presence, so crank the Top Boost channel gain to 8 to squeeze maximum crunch out of the EL84 power section. Since single coils are thinner and brighter than Iommi's P90s, keep the bass around 3 and roll the guitar tone knob to 8 to shave off excessive top-end fizz while retaining punch. Adding a dedicated treble booster pedal will slam the front end and instantly deliver Tony's signature searing grit.

PRO TIPTony Iommi played with a light touch using thin custom light-gauge strings and prosthetic plastic fingertips; hit the strings right near the bridge with medium attack to replicate that tight, aggressive percussive bite.

Get this tone on your amp

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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More tones for the Vox AC15C1

Come As You AreNirvana Scoring the end of the worldMotionless in White Enter SandmanMetallica So Far AwayAvenged Sevenfold ParanoidBlack sabath Jhonny b GoodeChuck berry

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