Soundcheck amp settings — Vox AD15VT-XL
The Catfish and the bottlemen guitar tone for “Soundcheck”, dialed in for a Vox AD15VT-XL with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, The Ride (2016), produced by Dave Sardy
Fender Hot Rod Deville / Deluxe Reverb, Fender Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul, Ibanez Tube Screamer, Boss DD-3 delay
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 6 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 5 |
01Tube Screamer (TS9) or similar overdrive
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. A Behringer TO800, Joyo Vintage OD, or Boss SD-1 are budget alternatives. This pushes the mids and adds the gritty edge essential to the Catfish sound. Without it, increase amp gain to 7 and mid to 8.
Your Vox AD15VT-XL's UK Modern model approximates the crunchy Fender-through-overdrive tone Catfish uses. The GRG170DX's humbuckers are hotter than their single-coil Telecasters, so gain is pulled back 1 point and treble rolled slightly to prevent harshness. Mid pushed to 7 compensates for the Vox's inherent scoop vs the original's mid-forward Fender/TS stack.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Vox AD15VT-XL. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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