Tone library / Derek & The Dominos / Layla

Layla amp settings — Lyx Ags-20

The Derek & The Dominos guitar tone for “Layla”, dialed in for a Lyx Ags-20 with a Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster. Studio version, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)

Original rig

Fender Stratocaster 'Brownie' → Fender Tweed Champ (dimed, 5W single-ended)

Raw, biting, compressed overdrive with creamy sustain from a small tube amp at full volume

Amp settings — Lyx Ags-20

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	6
Presence	5
Reverb	0
Master	7

Don’t have a Lyx Ags-20? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Overdrive pedal (TS-style or Blues Driver)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential to replicate cranked Champ saturation on a solid-state practice amp. A Boss BD-2 or Joyo Vintage Overdrive would work. Without this, the tone will lack the creamy compression and sustain of the original.

Drive 6 · Tone 5 · Level 7

Why these settings

The original tone came from a tube amp at maximum volume producing natural power-tube compression. The Lyx AGS-20 is a solid-state practice amp that cannot replicate this saturation organically—gain at 8 gets you partway there but will sound fizzy without the smooth compression of tubes. An overdrive pedal is necessary to add the harmonic richness and sustain Clapton achieved. Mid pushed to 7 compensates for the AGS-20's tendency toward scooped voicing compared to the mid-forward Tweed Champ circuit.

PRO TIPClapton's attack on this track is aggressive but not harsh—dig in with the pick near the neck pickup for that thick, singing sustain, and let notes bloom rather than picking rapidly. The Eric Clapton Strat's active mid-boost circuit can help: engage it at 25-50% to push mids closer to the Champ's natural voice.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Lyx Ags-20. 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.