New Year's Day amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX
The U2 guitar tone for “New Year's Day”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Yamaha Revstar RSS20. Studio version, War (1983) — also referenced live Red Rocks 1983 era
Vox AC30 Top Boost, Gibson Les Paul Standard (bridge humbucker), Boss DS-1, TC Electronic 2290 delay (dotted 8th), light hall reverb
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 4 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 5 |
01MG30CFX Built-in Delay
Set delay time to ~380ms for dotted-eighth at 110 BPM; this is the defining texture of the song
02Boss DS-1 (RECOMMENDED — not currently owned)
RECOMMENDED — not owned. Low-gain DS-1 setting provides the Edge's signature harmonic grit without mud. Run into amp's clean channel if acquired.
The MG30CFX is voiced tighter and more scooped than an AC30. Pushed mids to 7 (vs AC30's natural mid-forward voicing) to recover that chime. Kept gain moderate at 4—the MG's OD1 channel adds grit faster than an AC30's gradual breakup. Without the DS-1, this gets you 70% there; the pedal adds the harmonic shimmer The Edge relies on.
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These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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