Tom sawyer amp settings — Vox Vt40+

The Rush guitar tone for “Tom sawyer”, dialed in for a Vox Vt40+ with a Dean Ml select fluence. Studio version, Moving Pictures (1981) — iconic opening riff & main rhythm tone

Original rig

Modified Strat / Gibson ES-355 -> Marshall JMP 2203 / Hiwatt DR103 -> Boss CE-1 Chorus / Loft 440 -> Roland SRE-555 Delay

Articulate, mid-gain British crunch with subtle chorus widening and short studio delay

Amp settings — Vox Vt40+

CHANNELCALI CLEAN (Clean channel for pedal platform)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01KSR Ceres One

GAIN SOURCE: Use Crunch channel mode, Mode switch to Rhythm; amp kept clean to prevent double-gain mud

Gain 6 · Bass 5 · Middle 7 · Treble 6 · Level 6

02Vox VT40+ Onboard Chorus (CHORUS 1)

Built-in VT40+ modulation block to replicate Alex Lifeson's subtle Boss CE-1 stereo spread

Speed 3 · Depth 4

03Vox VT40+ Onboard Delay (ANALOG DELAY)

Built-in VT40+ delay block set for subtle studio space thickening

Time 3 · Feedback 2 · Level 2

Why these settings

The KSR Ceres preamp pedal acts as your primary gain source delivering Alex Lifeson's tight, articulate British crunch into the VT40+'s neutral clean model. Per double-gain prevention, the amp gain is kept low at 2 with a flat EQ while the Ceres carries the punchy midrange bark. The Fishman Fluence bridge pickup provides the sharp attack needed for the open string chords. Solo section: engage the Cry Baby GCB95 and kick on the Ceres lead boost.

PRO TIPHit the open-string power chords right near the bridge with a medium-heavy pick attack to capture the metallic bite and string definition that separates Lifeson's tone from standard heavy distortion.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Vox Vt40+. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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