Tone library / Bon jovi / You give love a bad name!

You give love a bad name! amp settings — Marshall MG30DFX

The Bon jovi guitar tone for “You give love a bad name!”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30DFX with a Westfield Pro series. Studio version, Slippery When Wet (1986)

Original rig

Kramer Pacer / Charvel Superstrat (Seymour Duncan humbucker) into modified Marshall JCM800 / Plexi heads with subtle analog chorus and studio plate reverb

Punchy 80s hard rock crunch with forward midrange bite and tight low end
Amp settings — Marshall MG30DFX
CHANNELOverdrive (OD) channel - set Contour to 4
GAIN 7 BASS 5 TREBLE 7 REVERB 2 MASTER 4
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass5
Treble7
Reverb2
Master4
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Tube Screamer (TS9)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens low-end punch and adds singing lead sustain

Drive 3 · Tone 6 · Level 7

02Chorus (Boss CE-2 style)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; provides the classic wide 80s arena texture

Rate 3 · Depth 4
Why these settings

The Marshall MG30DFX lacks a dedicated Mid control and Presence knob, using a Contour control alongside Bass and Treble instead. Set Contour around 4 to keep the vital lower-mids intact without sounding hollow or overly scooped, and push the internal digital Reverb/FX to add arena depth. Gain at 7 on the Overdrive channel supplies the full crunch directly from the amp since no external dirt pedals are present.

PRO TIPDig into the riff with a heavy, sharp downstroke near the bridge saddles to maximize the punchy harmonic bite that defines Sambora's opening rhythm track.

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These settings are for a Marshall MG30DFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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