Painkiller amp settings — Fender Champion 20
The Judas priest guitar tone for “Painkiller”, dialed in for a Fender Champion 20 with a ESP LTD EC-256. Main rhythm guitar, Painkiller studio album cut (1990)
Marshall JCM800 2203/2204 + Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabs, custom boost / Boss OD, Hamer Mini V & Gibson SG with active EMG/DiMarzio humbuckers
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Treble | 8 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss SD-1 or Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens low-end tracking and sharpens the pick attack
The Champion 20 is set to its onboard high-gain Metal voice at gain 8 to replicate Glenn Tipton's boosted JCM800 saturation directly from the amp. Because the Champion 20 faceplate lacks a dedicated mid knob, push treble to 8 to capture the sharp 3kHz cutting bite while keeping bass at 5 to prevent the 8-inch speaker from flubbing out on rapid palm-mutes. If you later add a Tube Screamer or SD-1 style overdrive in front, drop the amp gain to 6 and use the pedal as a clean level boost to tighten tracking.
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These settings are for a Fender Champion 20. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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