Tone library / Stereophonics / Dakota

Dakota amp settings — Blackstar Blackstar idx core 100

The Stereophonics guitar tone for “Dakota”, dialed in for a Blackstar Blackstar idx core 100 with a PRS Custom 24. Studio version, Language. Sex. Violence. Other? (2005)

Original rig

Gretsch G5422DC-12 (12-string) or Gibson SG, Matchless C-30 / Marshall 50W head, Boss PH-3 Phaser, flanger on intro sections

Jangly, mid-forward crunch with shimmering 12-string chime and subtle modulation movement
Amp settings — Blackstar Blackstar idx core 100
CHANNELCrunch voice, ISF at 3 o'clock (British/Marshall voicing)BOOSToff
GAIN 5 BASS 5 MID 7 TREBLE 5 PRESENCE 6 REVERB 2 MASTER 6
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain5
Bass5
Mid7
Treble5
Presence6
Reverb2
Master6
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Guitar
PICKUPmiddle TONE8 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Tube Screamer (TS9/TS808)

Used as a clean boost to push mids and add definition to the crunch channel — NOT as a distortion source

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 7

02Boss DS-1

Leave OFF for this song — the tone is amp crunch with boost, not distortion pedal driven

Tone 5 · Level 5 · Dist 0

03Flanger (ID:Core built-in or external)

RECOMMENDED — use ID:Core's built-in modulation set to slow flanger for intro/bridge sections only; engage via footswitch

Rate 3 · Depth 4 · Manual 5
Why these settings

Your PRS humbuckers are hotter than Kelly's Gretsch FilterTrons, so I dropped gain from what the Matchless would run (7-8) to 5. The ID:Core's ISF should sit at 3 o'clock to emulate the British mid-forward bark of the Matchless/Marshall. The Tube Screamer at low drive pushes the front end for note definition without adding fizz — this mimics how Kelly's rig stacks a slight boost into a crunchy amp.

PRO TIPThe magic of this tone is the coil-split. If your PRS Custom 24 has a push-pull for single-coil mode, use it in the middle position — this gets you closer to the jangly, chimey 12-string Gretsch character that defines the studio recording.

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These settings are for a Blackstar Blackstar idx core 100. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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