Basket Case amp settings — Cort CM15R
The Green Day guitar tone for “Basket Case”, dialed in for a Cort CM15R with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Dookie (1994)
Fernandes RST-50 Stratocaster 'Blue' (Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB humbucker in bridge) → Marshall 1959 SLP Super Lead (Bradshaw/Golub gain mod) → 4x12 cabinet
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 10 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Distortion pedal (Boss DS-1 or similar)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The CM15R cannot reach Plexi-level saturation on its own; a distortion pedal is essential for this tone. Set amp gain to 3-4 when using this pedal.
The Cort CM15R is a small solid-state practice amp with only gain, bass, treble, and master controls—no mid or presence knobs exist on this amp. Even at max gain it cannot replicate the modified Plexi's saturation, so a distortion pedal is mandatory. With the recommended pedal, drop amp gain to 3-4 to avoid mud. Bass is cut from the original's 5-6 to 4 because the 8" speaker gets flubby; treble stays high to preserve the bite.
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These settings are for a Cort CM15R. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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