Tone library / Surf Curse / Freaks

Freaks amp settings — Laney Hc50r

The Surf Curse guitar tone for “Freaks”, dialed in for a Laney Hc50r with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Buds (2013)

Original rig

Fender Stratocaster / Jazzmaster into Fender Twin Reverb / Hot Rod Deluxe with Boss DS-1 / ProCo Rat and spring reverb

Lo-fi surf punk crunch with bright single-coil bite and wet spring reverb wash
Amp settings — Laney Hc50r
CHANNELDrive (Crunch)BRIGHTonBOOSToff
GAIN 6 BASS 4 MID 6 TREBLE 8 REVERB 7 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain6
Bass4
Mid6
Treble8
Reverb7
Master5
Don’t have a Laney Hc50r? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →
Guitar
PICKUPbridge+middle TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Distortion 6 · Filter 5 · Volume 7
Why these settings

The Laney Hardcore Max HC50R has a punchier British solid-state mid character compared to the scooped, glassy American clean/drive used on the recording. Scoop the bass slightly to 4, push the treble to 8, and use the bright switch to capture that snappy surf-punk bite. The Laney lacks a presence control so it is set to null, and built-in spring reverb is pushed high to replicate the washed-out room tone.

PRO TIPUse aggressive alternate picking with a thin-to-medium pick right above the bridge to capture the rapid, percussive surf-rock bounce heard on the main riff.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Laney Hc50r. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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