Tone library / Chevelle / Comfortable Liar

Comfortable Liar amp settings — Vox AC15C1

The Chevelle guitar tone for “Comfortable Liar”, dialed in for a Vox AC15C1 with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Wonder What's Next (2002)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IV, baritone guitars (likely Fender Subsonic or similar), no notable effects — dry, amp-driven tone

Thick, grinding mid-forward crunch with loose low-end and aggressive upper-mid bite

Amp settings — Vox AC15C1

CHANNELTop Boost

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	10
Bass	7
Treble	4
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE6 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Overdrive/Distortion (RECOMMENDED — Boss DS-1 or ProCo RAT)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The AC15 cannot produce Mark IV-level saturation on its own. A RAT or DS-1 into the cranked Top Boost channel will get you closest to that grinding mid-heavy distortion. Run into amp input, not FX loop (AC15 has no loop).

Level/Volume 7 · Tone 4 · Gain/Distortion 7

Why these settings

The original uses a Mesa Mark IV with characteristically high bass settings and scooped presence — the AC15 is a completely different animal (Class A chime, touch-sensitive, low wattage). I've maxed the Top Boost gain and pushed bass to 7 to approximate the weight, but you WILL need a distortion pedal to get anywhere near the saturation level. Treble is pulled to 4 and Tone Cut should be engaged (turn clockwise to around 2 o'clock) to tame the AC15's natural brightness. Your Pacifica's Alnico V humbucker in the bridge is hotter than a typical single coil, which helps.

PRO TIPRoll your guitar's tone knob to 6 and use Tone Cut aggressively — Pete's Mark IV tone has very controlled highs despite the aggression. Palm-mute tightly on the low strings and let the attack bloom; the AC15's compression will help simulate that loose-but-defined Mark IV low-end response.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Vox AC15C1. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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