More Than a Feeling amp settings — Fender Acoustasonic 15
The Boston guitar tone for “More Than a Feeling”, dialed in for a Fender Acoustasonic 15 with a Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s. Studio version, Boston (1976) — iconic electric chorus/riff tone
1968 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop with P-90s → DIY compressor/sustainer → cranked Marshall Super Lead 100W Plexi (Power Soak) → MXR 6-Band Graphic EQ (boost at 800Hz)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 6 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Master | 5 |
01Compressor / Sustainer (e.g. MXR Dyna Comp or Boss CS-3)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned
02Marshall-style High Gain Distortion (e.g. Rockman Guitar Ace or MI Audio Crunch Box)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned
The Fender Acoustasonic 15 is a clean acoustic amplifier lacking a preamp gain circuit and full-range distortion capability, so achieving Tom Scholz's cranked Marshall tone directly from the amp alone is impossible. Setting treble up and bass cut shapes the bright acoustic platform to avoid flub, but you will need an external Marshall-in-a-box distortion pedal and compressor in front of the input to produce the iconic sustained crunch. Once you add a distortion pedal, keep the amp's volume moderate and let the pedal supply 100% of the gain.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Fender Acoustasonic 15. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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