Tone library / Mötley crüe / Dr feelgood

Dr feelgood amp settings — Vox VT40X

The Mötley crüe guitar tone for “Dr feelgood”, dialed in for a Vox VT40X with a Epiphone SG Standard. Studio version, Dr. Feelgood (1989) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

Jose Arredondo-modded 1973 Marshall Super Lead 100W, Soldano SLO-100 & Mesa/Boogie blended; Kramer Superstrat with Seymour Duncan JB humbucker

Thick, punchy late-80s high-gain crunch with tight palm-muted lows and cutting upper-mid bite
Amp settings — Vox VT40X
CHANNELUS HIGAIN (Soldano/Mesa model voice)BOOSToff
GAIN 7 BASS 6 MID 7 TREBLE 6 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Reverb0
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive

Tightening boost into amp input

Level 8 · Tone 5 · Drive 2

02Boss RV-6 Reverb

Set mode to Room for subtle 80s studio depth

E.Level 2 · Tone 4 · Time 3
Why these settings

The Vox VT40X is a modeling amp, so the US HIGAIN voice replicates the Soldano SLO-100 core saturation Bob Rock blended into the album tracks. The owned Boss SD-1 acts as a classic metal tightener with Drive low and Level high to focus low-end thump without turning the tone muddy. The SG's mahogany body and bridge humbucker provide the necessary warmth and midrange push, needing only slightly boosted mids (7) to match Mick Mars's layered wall-of-sound bite. (Note: the VT40X panel has no physical presence knob).

PRO TIPMick tuned down one full step (D standard: D-G-C-F-A-D) for Dr. Feelgood, which contributes heavily to the signature slack-string low-end growl and punch during the main riff.

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These settings are for a Vox VT40X. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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