Live wire amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

The Mötley crüe guitar tone for “Live wire”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 MkII with a Jackson JS22 Dinky. Studio version, Too Fast for Love (1981) — signature opening and main rhythm riff

Original rig

1970s Gibson Les Paul Custom, Marshall JCM800 2203 / cranked Super Lead 100W, Eventide H910 Harmonizer (micro-detune doubling)

Raw, buzzy, aggressive early 80s US metal crunch with boosted upper-mids and sharp pick bite

Amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

CHANNELBrown amp typeBOOSTon

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	7
Reverb	1
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Katana 50 MkII lacks a physical presence control, so push Treble to 7 and Middle to 7 on the Brown amp type to replicate the raw, biting high-mid sizzle of Mick Mars' cranked Marshall. Engage the Katana's internal Booster (set to Blues Driver or Tube Screamer style with low drive and high level) to tighten up the Jackson's ceramic bridge humbucker and provide the percussive early-80s attack. Keep bass moderate at 5 so the fast 16th-note downstrokes stay punchy and articulate.

PRO TIPMick Mars achieves his signature aggressive attack by digging hard with a heavy pick angled slightly toward the bridge, maintaining strict, palm-muted downstrokes on the open low D string (tuned D Standard).

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These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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