pretender amp settings — Marshall DSL1HR

The james labrie guitar tone for “pretender”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL1HR with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio track, Elements of Persuasion (2005)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier / Mark IV, Ibanez custom RG / Music Man Steve Morse, Boss SD-1 / Ibanez TS9 boost, Mesa 4x12 with Celestion V30s (played by Marco Sfogli)

Tight, punchy modern progressive metal rhythm tone with pronounced upper mids and focused low end

Amp settings — Marshall DSL1HR

CHANNELUltra Gain

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	6
Reverb	2
Master	4

Don’t have a Marshall DSL1HR? Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Tube Screamer (TS9 / SD-1)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens low-end flub on fast riffing

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The Marshall DSL1HR faceplate provides Ultra Gain with a 3-band EQ and Reverb (no Presence knob). Marco Sfogli recorded through scooped American high-gain amps pushed with an overdrive; on the naturally mid-forward Marshall, push Mid to 7 to retain punch while keeping Bass around 5 so the 1-watt power section does not sag on palm mutes. Use the Ultra Gain channel at gain 7 to achieve progressive metal saturation without external pedals.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles for Marco Sfogli's percussive staccato chugging, and use a sharp, rigid 1.5mm+ pick to replicate his fast note separation.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall DSL1HR. 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 Marshall DSL1HR

You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a MillionaireQueens of the Stone Age Aint talking bout loveVan halen Master of puppetsMettalica 115Kevin sherwood I just died I your arms tonightCutting crew You really got meThe kinks

Find your amp

Browse

Marshall DSL1HR settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Ibanez GIO GRG170DX 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.