Communication Breakdown amp settings — Marshall Origin 50C
The Led Zeppelin guitar tone for “Communication Breakdown”, dialed in for a Marshall Origin 50C with a Epiphone Les Paul Studio. Studio recording, Led Zeppelin (1969) - Guitar Solo
1959 Fender 'Dragon' Telecaster (bridge pickup) -> Sola Sound Tone Bender MkII / cranked 1959 Supro Coronado 1690T / 1967 Vox Wah (parked toe-down)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 3 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 8 |
| Presence | 7 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Gain source — set bright and raspy to mimic the cranked Supro and parked-wah bite
02Wah Pedal (e.g. Vox V847 / Cry Baby)
RECOMMENDED — not owned (parked stationary in toe-down position for the solo treble boost)
To compensate for humbuckers vs. Page's spanky Telecaster into a small Supro, amp gain is pulled back to 3 so the BD-2 can supply the gritty, fuzzy rasp without turning to mush. Treble, presence, and BD-2 tone are pushed up to replicate the piercing high-end resonance of Page's toe-down parked wah. For the rhythm riff: leave the BD-2 on with guitar volume at 7-8 and hit strict, rapid downstrokes.
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