Tone library / KALEO / Way Down We Go

Way Down We Go amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

The KALEO guitar tone for “Way Down We Go”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, A/B album (2016)

Original rig

Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb (or Orange AD30), Gibson ES-330/390 semi-hollow with humbuckers, Klon-style transparent overdrive, Fulltone Octafuzz for chorus dirt, Strymon delay/reverb

Warm, bluesy, dynamic overdriven breakup with moody verse cleans building to fuzzy, aggressive chorus
Amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3
CHANNELCrunchBOOSToff
GAIN 5 BASS 5 MID 6 TREBLE 5 PRESENCE 4 REVERB 2 MASTER 6
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain5
Bass5
Mid6
Treble5
Presence4
Reverb2
Master6
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Guitar
PICKUPneck TONE7 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Blackstar Built-in Overdrive (OD-1 voice via Architect software)

Use the ID:Core's built-in OD-1 effect to simulate the Klon-style transparent drive pushing the amp; engage for verse grit and chorus weight

Drive 4 · Tone 6 · Level 7

02Boss DS-1 or EHX Big Muff (budget fuzz)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. For the heavy chorus sections, a fuzz or high-gain distortion pedal is essential to match the original's wall-of-sound breakup. A Boss DS-1 (~$50) or Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz (~$25) gets you there.

Tone 4 · Level 6 · Dist/Sustain 6
Why these settings

Your Pacifica's Alnico V humbucker in the neck position approximates the ES-330's warm output, but it's slightly brighter — hence tone knob rolled to 7. The ID:Core's ISF should sit American-side (CCW) to emulate the Fender's scooped mids; I raised mid +1 from the original to compensate for the Blackstar's naturally tighter low-mid response. Without a fuzz pedal, your chorus sections will lack the aggressive sustain of the original — the built-in OD gets you the verse tone, but the heavy chorus needs external dirt.

PRO TIPThe magic of this tone is dynamics — J.J. plays soft and clean in the verses, then digs in hard for the chorus. Back off your picking pressure during the intro/verse to let the amp clean up, then attack aggressively when the chorus hits. Your Pacifica's volume knob is your gain control: roll it to 7 for the verse, full up for the chorus.

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These settings are for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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