Tone library / Bruno Mars / That's What I Like

That's What I Like amp settings — Aguilar Tone Hammer 500

The Bruno Mars guitar tone for “That's What I Like”, dialed in for a Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 with a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass. Studio album cut, 24K Magic (2016)

Original rig

Moog / Synth bass layered with DI Fender Jazz Bass, produced by The Stereotypes and Shampoo Press & Curl

Deep, pillowy sub-bass with tight percussive finger attack and rolled-off top end

Amp settings — Aguilar Tone Hammer 500

BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	4
Bass	7
Mid	4
Treble	2
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE3 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01MXR Ten Band EQ

Used to emulate the analog synth low-end sub frequencies while cutting modern string clack

31.25Hz 6 · 62.5Hz 8 · 125Hz 7 · 250Hz 5 · 500Hz 4 · 1kHz 3 · 2kHz 2 · 4kHz 1 · 8kHz 1 · 16kHz 1 · Gain 5 · Volume 5

Why these settings

The studio track centers on an 80s-inspired synth bass with massive low-end weight and no top-end string buzz. On the Tone Hammer 500, keep the Drive control off, set Mid Freq around 400Hz with a slight cut, push the Bass knob, and roll Treble way back. The MXR 10-Band EQ shapes your Jazz Bass into a synth-like fundamental by boosting 62.5Hz/125Hz and shelving off everything above 1kHz.

PRO TIPPluck softly with the fleshy pad of your thumb or index finger directly over the base of the neck, and use light palm muting to achieve the rounded, zero-sustain envelope of a synth patch.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Aguilar Tone Hammer 500. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, 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.