Panama amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII
The Van Halen guitar tone for “Panama”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 MkII with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, 1984 album (1984) — E♭ Standard tuning
EVH Frankenstrat (single bridge humbucker) → MXR Phase 90 (script logo) → Marshall 1959 Super Lead Plexi (Variac'd to ~89V, all knobs at 10)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 7 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 8 |
01Boss Katana Onboard Phaser (or MXR Phase 90)
Use Katana's built-in Phaser effect via Boss Tone Studio — set to subtle, slow sweep for verse sections only. If purchasing a pedal, MXR Phase 90 Script is the authentic choice. RECOMMENDED — use onboard effect.
The Katana's Brown channel emulates the Plexi voicing EVH used. Your GRG170DX has dual humbuckers similar to EVH's setup, so no major compensation needed. Treble dropped from the original's maxed setting (10→6) because the Katana's Brown voice is already bright and your Ibanez's Infinity pickups have a crisp top end. Mid pushed to 7 to capture the Plexi's mid-forward bark. The original Variac'd amp had sag and compression — the Katana won't replicate that exactly, so back off the volume knob to 8-9 during held notes to let it breathe.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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