Photograph amp settings — Marshall MG30FX

The Def Leppard guitar tone for “Photograph”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30FX with a Epiphone Ghost Horse Explorer. Studio version, Pyromania (1983) — main rhythm/riff tone

Original rig

Marshall JMP 2203 / JCM800 50W Master Volume + Tom Scholz Rockman X100 blend + Ibanez Destroyer DT555 / Gibson Les Paul + Boss CE-1 Chorus

Polished, bright '80s British crunch with wide chorus sheen and tight bass

Amp settings — Marshall MG30FX

CHANNELOD1

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	5
Mid	5
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01MXR 6-Band EQ

(run direct into amp input) Tightens lows and adds the signature Pyromania upper-mid bite

100Hz 4 · 200Hz 5 · 400Hz 4 · 800Hz 6 · 1.6kHz 7 · 3.2kHz 7

02Boss CE-2W Chorus

Standard mode (run direct into amp input) — set subtle for stereo studio width

Rate 3 · Depth 5

Why these settings

The Marshall MG30FX OD1 channel mimics the JCM800/JMP crunch, but lacks the high-end sheen of Mutt Lange's blended Rockman tracks. We use the MXR 6-Band EQ in front to tighten sub-bass while boosting 1.6kHz and 3.2kHz for that pristine '80s cut, paired with the CE-2W on a slow rate to simulate the double-tracked studio spread. Note that the MG30FX has no physical presence knob, so presence is nulled.

PRO TIPPick aggressively near the bridge with medium-heavy attack to get the percussive, metallic transient on the open A string riff before letting the chord ring.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall MG30FX. 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.