Tone library / Red hot chili peppers / Can't stop

Can't stop amp settings — Marshall DSL20HR

The Red hot chili peppers guitar tone for “Can't stop”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL20HR with a Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster. Studio version, By The Way (2002)

Original rig

1962 Fender Stratocaster with stock single coils, Marshall Silver Jubilee/Major blended with Fender Deluxe Reverb, Tube Screamer for mild boost, Big Muff for solo

Bright, funky, percussive clean-edge breakup with cutting single-coil attack and compressed sustain on the solo

Amp settings — Marshall DSL20HR

CHANNELClassic Gain (Green)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	4
Bass	8
Mid	6
Treble	5
Presence	5
Reverb	2
Master	6

Don’t have a Marshall DSL20HR? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Tube Screamer (TS9 or similar)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Use as clean boost into amp for the main riff's body and compression. Run Level high, Drive low per Frusciante's approach.

Drive 2 · Tone 5 · Level 8

02Big Muff Pi (or similar fuzz)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Engage only for the solo section. Without this, use the Ultra Gain channel with gain at 7 as a substitute for solo dirt.

Volume 6 · Tone 5 · Sustain 7

Why these settings

Your DSL20HR is brighter and more mid-forward than Frusciante's blended Marshall/Fender setup, so treble is dropped to 5 (vs the 7 he runs on vintage Marshalls) and bass is pushed to 8 to replicate his signature Hendrix-style low-end fullness. The Classic Gain channel at moderate gain gets the edge-of-breakup funk tone; the Ultra Gain channel would be too saturated for the main riff.

PRO TIPThe iconic 'Can't Stop' tone is 80% right-hand technique—Frusciante mutes aggressively with his palm and attacks the strings percussively near the bridge. Practice the ghost-note muting pattern before chasing gear; a clean attack with rhythmic palm control will get you closer than any pedal.

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These settings are for a Marshall DSL20HR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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