The Waiting amp settings — Positive Grid Spark 2
The Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers guitar tone for “The Waiting”, dialed in for a Positive Grid Spark 2 with a Squier XII Paranormal Jazzmaster. Studio version, Hard Promises (1981) — iconic opening 12-string chord and rhythm chime
1966 Rickenbacker 360/12 into Fender Twin Reverb/Deluxe tube amp (Mike Campbell tracked the lead on a 1970s Les Paul Custom into a cranked Fender Twin)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 4 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 6 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 7 |
01Compressor (Red Comp block)
Spark onboard compressor block placed before amp
02Digital Delay block
Spark onboard subtle slap/spatial depth (FX loop/post-amp)
The Squier Paranormal Jazzmaster XII single coils provide the necessary jangle, but need the middle position to blend bottom-end body with top sparkle. The Spark 2's Fender Black OP model is dialed clean with slight breakup around gain 4, pushing the onboard Red Comp to replicate 1980s studio compression without muddiness. Note that the Spark 2 faceplate has no physical presence knob, so top cut and brilliance are managed via the amp model's treble and bright switch. Solo switch: flip the guitar pickup selector to the bridge pickup and push tone to 10 for Mike Campbell's lead bite.
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These settings are for a Positive Grid Spark 2. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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