You Give Love a Bad Name amp settings — Blackstar ID: CORE v4
The Bon Jovi guitar tone for “You Give Love a Bad Name”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID: CORE v4 with a Squier Affinity Stratocaster. Studio version, Slippery When Wet (1986)
Modified Marshall Plexi, Kramer Super Strat (bridge humbucker), Tube Screamer, Eventide Harmonizer
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 6 |
01Built-in Overdrive (TS-style in ID:CORE effects)
Use the amp's built-in OD effect set to Tube Screamer style — this tightens low end and pushes mids for that 80s punch
02Built-in Delay
Subtle slapback thickening — keep it low in the mix
Your Squier has single coils where Sambora used a bridge humbucker, so gain is pushed +1 and treble dropped -1 to compensate for the thinner, brighter output. The ID:CORE's ISF is your secret weapon — set it toward British (70%) to nail that Marshall mid-bark. The built-in OD effect substitutes for the Tube Screamer he ran in front.
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These settings are for a Blackstar ID: CORE v4. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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