Zombie amp settings — Dixon AE-15M

The The Cranberries guitar tone for “Zombie”, dialed in for a Dixon AE-15M with a Sanchez Strat. Studio version, No Need to Argue (1994)

Original rig

Marshall 30th Anniversary 6101 Combo, Fender Telecaster (bridge pickup), Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi fuzz, DOD FX68 Super Stereo Chorus

Mid-heavy fuzzy crunch with chorus shimmer, aggressive percussive attack, warm but cutting alternative rock edge

Amp settings — Dixon AE-15M

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	5
Master	5

Don’t have a Dixon AE-15M? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (or clone)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for the signature fuzz tone. Without this pedal, the tone is not achievable from the amp alone.

Volume 6 · Tone 5 · Sustain 6

02Chorus pedal (Boss CE-5 or similar)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Provides the shimmer present throughout the song. Run into amp input.

Rate 4 · Depth 5 · Level 6

Why these settings

The Dixon AE-15M is a small solid-state practice amp that cannot produce the Big Muff fuzz saturation on its own. Keep the amp relatively clean (gain 7 is moderate crunch territory on this amp) and let the recommended fuzz pedal provide the main distortion. Treble dropped from the original Marshall setting because your Strat's single coils are brighter than Hogan's Telecaster, and small practice amp speakers get harsh with high treble. Mid pushed to 7 to compensate for the Marshall's naturally mid-forward voicing that your amp lacks.

PRO TIPPalm-mute the low E string aggressively on the main riff's downstrokes — the percussive chunk is half the tone. Dig in hard with the pick near the bridge for that angry attack Noel Hogan gets.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Dixon AE-15M. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.