Tone library / Bob Dylan / Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Knockin' On Heaven's Door amp settings — Blackstar 15E

The Bob Dylan guitar tone for “Knockin' On Heaven's Door”, dialed in for a Blackstar 15E with a Harley Benton SC-Custom II. Original studio version, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid soundtrack (1973)

Original rig

Martin 00-21 / Gibson acoustic guitars (Bob Dylan & Roger McGuinn) recorded with condenser mics (Neumann U87/KM84) direct to tape console

Warm, organic acoustic folk strumming with open top-end chime and delicate body resonance
Amp settings — Blackstar 15E
CHANNELCleanBOOSToff
GAIN 2 BASS 4 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass4
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPneck+middle TONE8 VOLUME9
Why these settings

The Blackstar Debut 15E has a single ISF EQ knob (no separate Bass, Mid, Treble, or Presence controls) alongside a tape delay effect. Set ISF counter-clockwise towards American/Fender character at 3 to scoop the harsh electric midrange and brighten up the Les Paul-style humbuckers, leaving the built-in Delay Level at 2 and Delay Time at 3 to simulate room space. Keep Gain low on the Clean channel so your humbuckers maintain transparent acoustic-like headroom.

PRO TIPSelect the middle pickup position (both humbuckers active) and strum lightly using a thin 0.60mm nylon pick right over the fretboard edge rather than near the bridge to mimic the soft acoustic attack of the record.

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These settings are for a Blackstar 15E. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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