Achilles last stand amp settings — Blackstar Id core 20 v4
The Led zeppelin guitar tone for “Achilles last stand”, dialed in for a Blackstar Id core 20 v4 with a Epiphone Custom prophecy plus. Studio version, Presence (1976) — recorded November 1975 at Musicland Studios, Munich
1959 Gibson Les Paul → 100W Marshall Plexi (customized) with high presence settings. Studio flanging/tape effects on overdubs. Multiple layered guitar tracks.
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 5 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 0 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss BD-2 (Blues Driver)
Use as a light boost to push the amp into Marshall-style saturation. BD-2 adds midrange grit that approximates Page's cranked plexi breakup.
02Behringer DR600 (Digital Reverb/Delay)
Set to shortest slapback delay or turn OFF entirely. The original is dry with studio flanging — you do not own a flanger, so leave modulation effects out. The DR600 can add subtle room ambience but the studio track is essentially dry.
03Flanger/Phaser (MXR Phase 90 or EHX Electric Mistress)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. A flanger is essential for this song's signature sweeping sound. Without it, you get the core crunch but miss the iconic modulation.
Page's original settings were extremely presence-heavy (10) and mid-scooped (3) on a Marshall Plexi. The ID:Core lacks a presence knob, so I compensated by pushing treble to 6 and rolling mids to 4 with ISF toward British voicing. Your Prophecy's active EMG-style humbuckers are hotter than vintage PAFs, so gain is reduced from what a stock Les Paul would need. The BD-2 at low gain adds the edge-of-breakup push that a bedroom-level solid-state amp cannot achieve alone.
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These settings are for a Blackstar Id core 20 v4. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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