Knights of Cydonia amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR
The Muse guitar tone for “Knights of Cydonia”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Black Holes and Revelations (2006) - Outro Heavy Riff
Manson Custom (bridge humbucker, built-in ZVEX Fuzz Factory) into Diezel VH4 (Channel 3), Marshall 1959HW Plexi, MXR Phase 90, and tape delay
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 4 |
01ZVEX Fuzz Factory
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; place first in chain to achieve Matt Bellamy's signature tight, gated fuzz texture
02MXR Phase 90
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; run in front of the amp for the subtle sweeping movement heard in the riff
Because you do not own Bellamy's core ZVEX Fuzz Factory, the DSL40CR's Ultra Gain OD2 mode is engaged to supply the massive modern saturation originally derived from a Diezel VH4 Channel 3. The DSL's mids are pushed to 7 to retain punch and clarity against the naturally aggressive treble, while keeping the presence around 6 avoids upper-fizz on the Ibanez bridge ceramic humbucker. If you acquire a Fuzz Factory later, switch the DSL to the Clean channel with low gain and let the pedal supply the gated square-wave attack.
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These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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