Tone library / The Cult / Fire Woman

Fire Woman amp settings — Marshall MG15GFX

The The Cult guitar tone for “Fire Woman”, dialed in for a Marshall MG15GFX with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Sonic Temple (1989)

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2210 (Harry Kolbe modified for extra gain), Gibson Les Paul Custom, Boss DM-2 analog delay, Boss DD-3 digital delay, Cry Baby Wah, Marshall 4x12 cabinet

Thick, warm, mid-forward crunch with layered rhythms and slapback delay shimmer
Amp settings — Marshall MG15GFX
CHANNELOD (Overdrive)
GAIN 7 BASS 5 MID 7 TREBLE 6 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass5
Mid7
Treble6
Reverb0
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Boss DD-3 Digital Delay (RECOMMENDED — not currently owned)

RECOMMENDED — not owned. Set to 800 mode for slapback; essential for the shimmering intro arpeggios

E.Level 4 · F.Back 3 · D.Time 5 · Mode 7
Why these settings

The MG15GFX OD channel approximates the JCM800 grind but lacks the modded gain saturation. Your Strat's single coils are brighter and lower-output than Duffy's Les Paul humbuckers, so mid is pushed to 7 (vs ~6 on the original) to compensate for the scoop, and treble is dropped to 6 to tame single-coil ice-pick. Roll tone knob to 7 to warm up the bridge pickup toward humbucker territory.

PRO TIPDuffy's intro uses tight palm-muted picking with deliberate space between notes — the delay fills the gaps. Pick closer to the neck for a fatter attack that mimics the Les Paul's thicker wound strings.

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These settings are for a Marshall MG15GFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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