Tone library / Jack Johnson / Wasting time

Wasting time amp settings — Vox Pathfinder 10

The Jack Johnson guitar tone for “Wasting time”, dialed in for a Vox Pathfinder 10 with a Squier Stratocaster. Studio version, On and On (2003)

Original rig

Gibson ES-335 or Eastwood Airline 59 Coronado (P94 pickups) through small vintage combo amps (Gibson, Bell stereo amp), Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer for mild grit, Line 6 DL4 for looping

Warm, mellow clean with subtle compression and soft pick attack — laid-back, slightly round highs
Amp settings — Vox Pathfinder 10
GAIN 3 BASS 6 MID 0 TREBLE 4 PRESENCE 0 REVERB 2 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain3
Bass6
Mid0
Treble4
Presence0
Reverb2
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPneck TONE5 VOLUME8
Signal chain

01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (or similar)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used as a clean boost/warmth pedal, NOT for distortion. A Joyo Vintage Overdrive or Boss SD-1 works as a budget substitute.

Drive 2 · Tone 4 · Level 6
Why these settings

The Vox Pathfinder 10 is naturally bright and chimey — Johnson's tone is warmer and rounder, so treble is pulled back to 4 and tone knob rolled to 5 to tame Strat single-coil brightness. Gain at 3 provides just enough tube-like warmth without breakup. The Pathfinder lacks a mid control, so the tone knob on the guitar compensates for the scooped mids. Without the TS9, the tone will be thinner and less compressed — the pedal adds essential body.

PRO TIPJohnson's signature sound comes from extremely soft pick attack and fingerstyle hybrid picking — use the fleshy part of your thumb and fingers rather than a hard pick, and play closer to the neck for that pillowy warmth.

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These settings are for a Vox Pathfinder 10. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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