Lightyears amp settings — Vox AC30C2
The Pearl jam guitar tone for “Lightyears”, dialed in for a Vox AC30C2 with a Epiphone Slash Les Paul Standard. Studio version, Binaural (2000)
Marshall Plexi / Fender amps, Gibson Les Paul & Fender Stratocaster, Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, Dunlop Univibe
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 4 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 6 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 4 |
| Reverb | 3 |
| Master | 5 |
01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used as a clean boost to push the AC30 into warm breakup. Without this, increase amp gain to 6 and accept slightly less compression and sustain.
The original uses Marshall Plexi mids and Fender cleans blended. Your AC30 Top Boost channel naturally sits between these—more chimey than Marshall, warmer than Fender. I've set treble conservatively at 5 (AC30s get ice-picky fast with humbuckers) and pushed mids to 6 to approximate the Plexi's midrange bark. Rolling your guitar volume to 8 cleans up the attack while preserving body—essential for this track's dynamic feel.
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These settings are for a Vox AC30C2. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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