Cowboy Song amp settings — valvestate 8080v

The Thin Lizzy guitar tone for “Cowboy Song”, dialed in for a valvestate 8080v with a Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s. Studio version, Jailbreak (1976) — main crunch rhythm & harmony leads

Original rig

Gibson Les Pauls (Deluxe/Standard/Custom) into cranked Marshall JMP 50/100W heads, WEM Copycat tape echo

Crunchy, mid-forward British rock with harmonic bite, warm low-mids, and singing sustain

Amp settings — valvestate 8080v

CHANNELBoost Channel (OD1) — Contour set to 4BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	6
Mid	7
Treble	6
Reverb	2
Master	5

Don’t have a valvestate 8080v? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

Used as a clean mid-boost to tighten the low end and push the Valvestate into singing Marshall lead sustain

Drive 2 · Tone 5 · Level 8

02Boss DD-8 Digital Delay

Set to Warm/Analog tape emulation mode (FX loop if available, or in front after TS9) for subtle 1970s tape echo doubling

E.Level 3 · F.Back 3 · D.Time 4 · Mode 1

Why these settings

The Valvestate 8080's OD1 channel delivers genuine JMP-style British crunch via its 12AX7 preamp tube. Keep the Contour knob around 4 to preserve the punchy, vocal midrange that defines the Gorham/Robertson twin-lead sound rather than scooping it out. Engaging the TS9 with low drive and high level provides the extra push and harmonic bite needed for the signature harmonized solos without getting muddy. (The Russian Big Muff is bypassed as this tone relies purely on cranked Marshall tube overdrive).

PRO TIPPick firmly near the bridge pickup using the edge of a heavy plectrum to accentuate upper-harmonic overtones and natural pinch harmonics during the dual-harmony lines.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a valvestate 8080v. 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.