Tone library / Pantera / Cowboys from hell

Cowboys from hell amp settings — Boss Katana 50 Gen 3

The Pantera guitar tone for “Cowboys from hell”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio recording, Cowboys from Hell (1990)

Original rig

Dean ML ('Dean From Hell') with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup, Randall RG100ES solid-state head into Randall 4x12, Furman PQ-3 parametric EQ, MXR 6-band graphic EQ, Dunlop Cry Baby wah

Surgical, razor-sharp solid-state high gain with heavily scooped mids and aggressive bite

Amp settings — Boss Katana 50 Gen 3

CHANNELLead amp typeBOOSTon

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	8
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Boss Katana 50 Gen 3? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Jim Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q Wah

Bypass for main riff; engage and rock toe-down for the bridge fills and solo

Range 3 · Q (Shape) 7 · Volume Boost 5

Why these settings

The Katana 50 lacks a presence control and naturally sits smoother than Dime's abrasive Randall solid-state rig, so setting the Lead amp type with mid scooped down to 2 and treble up to 8 delivers that biting surgical attack. The onboard Boost switch simulates the front-end push Dime achieved using his Furman parametric EQ. Your Pacifica's Alnico V bridge humbucker is lower output than Dime's searing Bill Lawrence L-500XL, so keeping the onboard boost engaged ensures tight, modern percussive chug without flub.

PRO TIPDimebag's attack came from heavy downward pick slicing using stiff Dunlop Tortex sharp picks right next to the bridge; dig in aggressively with the side of your pick and keep palm-mutes locked firmly on the bridge saddles to get that razor-sharp transient.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 Gen 3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Boss Katana 50 Gen 3

sweet child of mineGuns n roses Fade to blackMetallica Seek and destroyMetallica LaylaDerek & The Dominos Steh auf, wenn du am Boden bistDie Toten Hosen TrustMegadeth

Find your amp

Browse

Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Cowboys from hell on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Pantera tonesALL SONGS Yamaha Pacifica 112V tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.