Tone library / Eric Johnson / Cliffs of Dover

Cliffs of Dover amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

The Eric Johnson guitar tone for “Cliffs of Dover”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 MkII with a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster. Studio version, Ah Via Musicom (1990) — signature violin-like lead intro and melody

Original rig

1969 Marshall Super Lead 100W (treble 0, presence 0, jumpered channels), 1954 Fender Stratocaster / 1963 Gibson ES-335, Chandler Tube Driver, Maestro EP-3 Echoplex, MXR Flanger

Smooth, violin-like lead with singing sustain, minimal pick attack, warm compression
Amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII
CHANNELLead amp type (with onboard Booster set to Tube Screamer style)BRIGHToffBOOSTon
GAIN 7 BASS 5 MID 8 TREBLE 2 REVERB 3 MASTER 6
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass5
Mid8
Treble2
Reverb3
Master6
Don’t have a Boss Katana 50 MkII? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →
Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE5 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Chandler Tube Driver / BK Butler Tube Driver

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. On the Katana, engage the onboard Booster switch mapped to a warm overdrive to substitute.

Out Level 7 · Hi 3 · Lo 6 · Drive 6

02Maestro EP-3 Tape Echo Style Delay (Katana Onboard Delay)

Katana onboard Delay block (run direct into amp input, set around 320ms tape echo voicing)

Time 4 · Feedback 3 · Effect Level 4
Why these settings

Eric Johnson rolls treble and presence completely off on his Plexi and pushes the midrange to eliminate harsh transients; on the Katana 50 MkII (which lacks a presence knob), treble is cut to 2 while mids are pushed to 8. The onboard booster block and Lead amp model supply the necessary singing compression in place of the Tube Driver. Rolling the Strat's bridge tone knob down to 5 rounds off the glassiness for that signature liquid attack.

PRO TIPPick with the flat side of the pick or use a heavy, rounded nylon pick angled slightly against the strings to shave off high-frequency click and produce the iconic 'violin' transient.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play
More tones for the Boss Katana 50 MkII
You should probably leaveChris StapletonI got betterMorgan WallenMemory sure don't mess aroundJordan DavisGoosePolyphiaStairway to Heaven (Live)Led ZeppelinDead Girl WalkingCarrie Hope Fletcher & Jamie Muscato
Find your amp
Browse
Boss Katana 50 MkII settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Cliffs of Dover on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Eric Johnson tonesALL SONGS Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.

Get ToneAdapt — first match free