Always amp settings — Marshall JCM800 2203
The Bon Jovi guitar tone for “Always”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM800 2203 with a Fender Telecaster Thinline. Studio version, Cross Road (1994) — dramatic melodic solo and heavy outro rhythm
Marshall JCM800 and Fender Tone-Master, Fender Richie Sambora Signature Stratocaster (HSS with Floyd Rose), Boss SD-1, Klon Centaur boost, rack chorus, digital delay, and studio plate reverb
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 4 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss CE-2W Chorus
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (essential for the signature lush 90s intro/verse arpeggios)
02Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (used as a tight mid-boost to tighten the low end and add singing sustain for the solo)
03Digital Delay
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (set to ~420ms quarter-note delay for ambient lead trails)
Plugging straight into the JCM800 High Sensitivity input with Preamp Gain at 8 provides the necessary crunch and sustain for the iconic solo and heavy climax without external pedals. Because your Telecaster Thinline with single-coils is naturally brighter and has less low-end punch than Sambora's humbucker-equipped Strat, treble and presence are pulled back while the guitar tone knob is rolled to 8 to tame high-end harshness. For the clean ballad verses, roll your guitar volume down to 4-5 to clean up the JCM800 preamp.
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These settings are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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