Square Hammer amp settings — Marshall JCM800 2203
The Ghost guitar tone for “Square Hammer”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM800 2203 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Popestar EP (2016)
Gibson SG Standard or RD with Seymour Duncan 59 humbuckers → Marshall JCM800/Plexi, D Standard tuning
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 6 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Tube Screamer (TS9 or similar)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used as a clean boost to tighten low end and push the amp, compensating for Strat's lower output vs humbuckers
You have the correct amp—the JCM800 2203 is exactly what Ghost uses. However, your Strat's single coils have significantly lower output and brighter voicing than the Gibson humbuckers on the original. I raised bass +1 and cut treble -2 versus the original settings to compensate for the Strat's brightness and thinner low-end. A TS-style pedal as a clean boost is strongly recommended to push the front end and tighten the response to match the chunky humbucker attack.
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These settings are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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