Tone library / Cutting crew / Died in your arms

Died in your arms amp settings — Kong Chimp thirty

The Cutting crew guitar tone for “Died in your arms”, dialed in for a Kong Chimp thirty with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. Studio version, Broadcast album (1986)

Original rig

Roland G505 guitar synth + Fender Stratocaster, clean Fender-style amp with chorus and reverb, no significant overdrive — Kevin MacMichael's tone is glassy clean with modulation and sustain

Shimmering 80s clean with chorus shimmer, touch-sensitive dynamics, warm yet articulate with ambient reverb tail
Amp settings — Kong Chimp thirty
GAIN 2 BASS 5 MID 6 TREBLE 7 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass5
Mid6
Treble7
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPneck+middle TONE7 VOLUME10
Why these settings

The Kong Chimp thirty is an unrecognized amp model — knob names may differ on your faceplate. Settings are based on the original tone's glassy, clean character with warm mids and treble sparkle. Gain stays low (2) because the original is pristine clean with no breakup. The iconic 80s shimmer came from chorus and rack reverb you don't own — without those pedals, this will sound dry and direct. RECOMMENDED: any chorus pedal (Boss CE-2, TC Electronic Corona) and hall reverb to reach the authentic texture.

PRO TIPRoll your Strat's tone knob to 7 on the neck+middle position to tame the quack and add the warm, rounded quality MacMichael achieved with his Roland synth guitar's filtered output — pick lightly near the neck for maximum shimmer.

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

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