Tone library / U2 / Vertigo

Vertigo amp settings — Fender Rumble 800

The U2 guitar tone for “Vertigo”, dialed in for a Fender Rumble 800 with a Fender Player Jazz Bass. Studio cut, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004) — main driving bass riff

Original rig

Lakland Darryl Jones Signature Jazz Bass / 1973 Fender Precision Bass -> Ashdown ABM / RPM-1 Preamp rig (with tube drive) + Line 6 Bass POD blended DI

Punchy, throaty growl with forward upper-mids, mild tube overdrive grit, and tight low-end compression
Amp settings — Fender Rumble 800
CHANNELOverdrive Channel (Drive 6, Level 5, Vintage: off, Contour: off, Bright: off)BRIGHToff
GAIN 6 BASS 6 MID 7 TREBLE 5 MASTER 4
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble5
Master4
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge+middle TONE8 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Origin Effects Cali76 Bass Compressor

In front of amp input to clamp dynamic peaks and add punch

In 7 · Out 6 · Ratio 6 · Attack 4 · Release 6 · Dry 4
Why these settings

The Fender Rumble has a naturally scooped, clean voicing, so engage its built-in Overdrive circuit with Drive at 6 to simulate the tube saturation of Adam Clayton's Ashdown rig. The Rumble 800 uses a 4-band EQ: push both Low-Mid and High-Mid to 7 (represented in mid) while keeping Bass at 6 and Treble at 5 to capture Clayton's signature throaty, non-harsh rock cut without booming. Leave the Contour and Vintage buttons disengaged to prevent mid loss.

PRO TIPPlay aggressively with a medium-heavy pick (around 0.88mm to 1.0mm) right between the two Jazz pickups to get that percussive, snappy attack that drives the verse and chorus grooves.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Fender Rumble 800. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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