On fire amp settings — Zoom G6

The Van Halen guitar tone for “On fire”, dialed in for a Zoom G6 with a Gibson Les Paul Classic. Studio version, Van Halen (1978)

Original rig

1968 Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W (Variac-dropped to ~90V), Celestion G12M-25 Greenbacks, Frankenstrat (slanted PAF humbucker), MXR 6-Band Graphic EQ, Echoplex EP-3 preamp, Sunset Sound EMT 140 plate reverb

Raw, explosive brown sound with aggressive upper-mid cut and tight low-end thump

Amp settings — Zoom G6

CHANNELMS 1959 (Marshall Plexi) + MS 4x12 GB IRBRIGHTonBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	8

Don’t have a Zoom G6? Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Zoom G6 Graphic EQ Block

In front of amp model — recreates EVH's MXR 6-band mid-boost 'frown' curve pushing the Plexi input

100Hz 4 · 200Hz 5 · 400Hz 6 · 800Hz 8 · 1.6kHz 8 · 3.2kHz 6 · Gain 7

02Zoom G6 EP Stomp / TapeEcho Block

FX loop / post-amp — subtle slapback room delay (~120ms)

Time 2 · Feedback 2 · Mix 3 · Tone 6

03Zoom G6 Plate Reverb Block

FX loop / post-amp — emulates the Sunset Sound EMT 140 plate reverb

Decay 4 · Tone 6 · Mix 3

Why these settings

The Zoom G6's MS 1959 Plexi model captures vintage Marshall power amp sag, but requires an EQ mid-bump in the 800Hz–1.6kHz range to replicate Eddie's MXR 6-band boost. Your Les Paul Classic humbuckers have slightly thicker low-mids than Eddie's bright ash-body Frankenstrat, so bass is held at 5 with upper mids pushed to keep the attack tight and aggressive.

PRO TIPDig in hard near the bridge with a stiff pick, using slight palm-muting on the low strings to get the percussive, spitting attack characteristic of the main riff.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Zoom G6. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Zoom G6

The Spirit of RadioRush Editorialel diablo de shanghai Pride and joyStevie Ray Vaughan Yeshua (Live)Jesus Image BackslideThe Mayfield Four Sweet child o mineGuns and roses

Find your amp

Browse

Zoom G6 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Van Halen tonesALL SONGS Gibson Les Paul Classic tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.