You give love a bad name amp settings — Marshall MG30FX
The Bonus Jovi guitar tone for “You give love a bad name”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30FX with a Dean ML 79 floyd. Studio version, Slippery When Wet (1986)
Marshall JCM800 2203/2204 + Kramer Pacer / Charvel (Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker) + Ibanez TS9 / Boss CE-2
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 4 |
01Boss OS-2
Set Color towards Overdrive to act as a tight mid-boost into the Marshall OD channel
02MXR 6-band EQ
Boost 800Hz and 1.6kHz slightly for that classic Little Mountain studio mid-forward bark
03Boss CE-2W Chorus
Standard mode; keep subtle for authentic 80s studio width without chorus swirl
The Marshall MG30FX on OD-1 captures the JCM800 structure nicely, but solid-state clipping lacks the JCM power-amp bite. Using the Boss OS-2 with low drive and high level tightens the low end, while the MXR 6-Band pushes 800Hz and 1.6kHz to mimic the Kramer/Duncan JB cut through the Dean's humbuckers. The MG30FX does not have a presence control, so the 3.2kHz slider on the MXR and treble on 7 provide the essential top-end sparkle.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Marshall MG30FX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
Get ToneAdapt on Google PlaySong, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.