Tone library / Pearl jam / Black

Black amp settings — Boss GT-1000

The Pearl jam guitar tone for “Black”, dialed in for a Boss GT-1000 with a Gibson Les Paul Classic. Studio version, Ten (1991) - iconic clean/edge-of-breakup intro and verse

Original rig

1962 Reissue Fender Stratocaster (neck/middle) -> Fender Bassman AB165 / Marshall JCM800 -> Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Warm, dynamic edge-of-breakup Fender clean with Stevie Ray Vaughan/Hendrix-style chime and soft top-end
Amp settings — Boss GT-1000
CHANNELTWEED (Fender Bassman model) + 4x10 Tweed Cab IRBRIGHToffBOOSToff
GAIN 4 BASS 5 MID 6 TREBLE 7 PRESENCE 6 REVERB 3 MASTER 7
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain4
Bass5
Mid6
Treble7
Presence6
Reverb3
Master7
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Guitar
PICKUPmiddle TONE9 VOLUME8
Signal chain

01Compressor Block (CS)

Placed in front to emulate light studio opto-compression and even out arpeggios

Sustain 4 · Attack 5 · Level 5

02Overdrive/Distortion Block (T-SCREAM)

Engage for solo/lead sections as a clean boost into the Tweed amp block; keep bypassed during the clean intro

Drive 2 · Tone 5 · Level 7

03Reverb Block (PLATE)

FX chain post-amp to match the studio plate reverb on Ten

Time 4 · Tone 5 · Effect Level 3
Why these settings

To simulate Mike McCready's single-coil Strat 'in-between' quack on a dual-humbucker Les Paul, use the middle position (both pickups) and roll the guitar volume down to 8 to thin out humbucker output and restore top-end chime. On the GT-1000 Tweed block, treble and presence are boosted slightly to compensate for the Les Paul's naturally darker voicing compared to vintage Fender single coils. For the heavier bridge and solo sections, step on the GT-1000 T-SCREAM block and roll the guitar volume up to 10.

PRO TIPPick lightly near the neck for the delicate arpeggios, then dig in hard with the pick edge on double-stops to push the Tweed preamp right over the edge of breakup without needing extra gain.

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These settings are for a Boss GT-1000. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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