Tone library / The cranberries / Zombie

Zombie amp settings — Kustom Kxb1

The The cranberries guitar tone for “Zombie”, dialed in for a Kustom Kxb1 with a Idek Idek. Studio version, No Need to Argue (1994)

Original rig

Fender Telecaster → Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi → DOD FX68 Super Stereo Chorus → Marshall 6101 30th Anniversary Combo

Thick, fuzzy distortion with mid-heavy crunch and subtle chorus shimmer
Amp settings — Kustom Kxb1
GAIN 8 BASS 5 MID 7 TREBLE 6 PRESENCE 5 REVERB 2 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain8
Bass5
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Reverb2
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (or any fuzz/distortion pedal)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This pedal is essential to the 'Zombie' tone. Without it, crank amp gain to compensate, but the character will be different. A Boss DS-1 or ProCo RAT can substitute.

Volume 6 · Tone 5 · Sustain 7

02DOD FX68 Super Stereo Chorus (or any chorus pedal)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Adds the shimmering width. A Boss CE-5 or any basic chorus works. Leave on throughout the song.

Speed 4 · Depth 5
Why these settings

The Kustom KXB1 is a bass combo amp, not a guitar amp — it lacks the midrange voicing and preamp character needed for this tone. Guitar signal will sound flat and undefined. Push mids to 7 and treble to 6 to add presence the bass voicing lacks. Without a Big Muff or similar fuzz pedal, you cannot replicate the signature wall-of-fuzz sound; the amp's gain circuit will produce a different, less saturated distortion.

PRO TIPThe magic of this riff is in the pick attack — dig in hard on the downstrokes and let the fuzz compress the note. If you're stuck without pedals, roll your guitar's tone knob to 7 to tame the ice-pick highs that a bass amp's tweeter will emphasize.

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These settings are for a Kustom Kxb1. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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