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Apocalypse amp settings — Boss katana 50 ex gen 3

The Cigarettes After Sex guitar tone for “Apocalypse”, dialed in for a Boss katana 50 ex gen 3 with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Apocalypse EP (2017) — recorded December 2015 in Brooklyn, NY

Original rig

Greg Gonzalez uses clean Fender-style amps with Stratocaster-type guitars, heavy spring/hall reverb, and long modulated delay — the tone is defined by ambient wash rather than amp character

Pristine, glassy clean with massive reverb depth and rhythmic delay creating a dreamy, atmospheric bed

Amp settings — Boss katana 50 ex gen 3

CHANNELClean amp typeBRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	1
Bass	4
Mid	5
Treble	6
Presence	4
Reverb	8
Master	5

Don’t have a Boss katana 50 ex gen 3? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE6 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss Katana Built-in Delay (use Boss Tone Studio)

Access via Boss Tone Studio software — set delay time around 400-500ms with moderate feedback for that rhythmic pulse underneath the reverb

E.Level 6 · F.Back 5 · D.Time 7 · Type Analog or Tape

02Boss DD-8 or similar delay pedal

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. A dedicated delay pedal gives more control than the Katana's panel, especially for dialing in the exact rhythmic subdivisions Greg uses

E.Level 6 · F.Back 5 · D.Time 7 · Mode Analog

03Boss Katana Built-in Reverb (use Boss Tone Studio)

The panel reverb knob at 8 gets you close, but Tone Studio lets you access longer Hall reverb — this is the core of the CAS sound

Level 8 · Time 9 · Type Hall or Spring

Why these settings

Your Pacifica's Alnico V single coils are well-suited for this glassy tone. The Katana's Clean amp type is neutral like a Fender Twin—keep gain at 1 to stay pristine. Roll tone knob to 6 to soften the Pacifica's natural brightness and match the warm, pillowy high-end Greg gets. The entire tone is built on effects, not amp breakup.

PRO TIPPick closer to the neck with the fleshy part of your fingertip rather than the sharp point of the pick—Greg's attack is deliberately soft and rounded, which lets the reverb bloom without harsh transients cutting through the ambient wash.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Boss katana 50 ex gen 3. 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.