Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer Settings Guide
The Boss GE-7 is a 7-band graphic equalizer pedal with individual sliders for 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 800Hz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, and 6.4kHz, plus a master Level control. It is one of the most widely used utility pedals in professional guitar rigs, used both as a standalone EQ tool and as a mid-boost for solos. Many players use the GE-7 as an alternative to a traditional boost pedal, cutting unwanted frequencies rather than simply adding volume. It is a fixture on thousands of touring and studio rigs across every genre.
Used by: Kurt Cobain
The best Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer settings start with: 100Hz at 0/10, 200Hz at 0/10, 400Hz at 0/10, 800Hz at 0/10, 1.6kHz at 0/10, 3.2kHz at 0/10, 6.4kHz at 0/10, Level at 0/10. Adjust from there based on your amp, guitar, and room volume. For Blues: 100Hz 1/10, 200Hz -1/10, 400Hz -2/10, 800Hz 3/10, 1.6kHz 1/10, 3.2kHz 2/10, 6.4kHz 0/10, Level 2/10.
⚡ Start Here — Recommended Settings
| Control | Starting Position | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 100Hz | 0/10 | -15dB → +15dB |
| 200Hz | 0/10 | -15dB → +15dB |
| 400Hz | 0/10 | -15dB → +15dB |
| 800Hz | 0/10 | -15dB → +15dB |
| 1.6kHz | 0/10 | -15dB → +15dB |
| 3.2kHz | 0/10 | -15dB → +15dB |
| 6.4kHz | 0/10 | -15dB → +15dB |
| Level | 0/10 | Cut → Boost |
These are universal starting points. Adjust based on your amp, guitar, and room. Scroll down for genre-specific settings and artist-documented positions.
What Each Control Does
Recommended Starting Settings
Safe starting positions for any style. Adjust from here based on your amp and room.
All values on a 0–10 scale. These are starting points — fine-tune by ear.
Settings by Genre
Mid-forward EQ curve for blues — boost 800Hz (+3dB) and 3.2kHz (+2dB) for vocal presence and pick attack. Cut 400Hz (-2dB) to remove boxiness. The slight Level boost (+2dB) makes the GE-7 double as a clean solo boost. This curve works on any amp to push it toward blues territory.
Classic metal mid-scoop — cut 400Hz through 1.6kHz heavily (-3 to -4dB) for the scooped character of 90s metal tones. Boost 100Hz (+2dB) for low-end weight. Boost 3.2kHz and 6.4kHz for aggression and note definition. The GE-7 mid-scoop is a classic technique for adding a "studio EQ" character to live amp tones.
Gentle mid-boost for classic rock punch. Lift 800Hz and 1.6kHz for the presence and cut-through that classic rock rhythm requires. Small cuts at 200Hz and 400Hz clean up muddiness without affecting the warmth. The Level boost makes the GE-7 a transparent solo level lift.
Warm, dark jazz tone — cut the top end significantly (3.2kHz and 6.4kHz at -3dB) for a round, smooth character. Boost the low frequencies slightly for body. This EQ curve removes the upper-frequency sizzle that is inappropriate for jazz. Works best with humbuckers and a clean amp.
Bright, twangy country EQ — boost the upper-mid and high frequencies for the sparkle and note definition that chicken-picking requires. Cut 200Hz to avoid muddiness. The boosted top end (3.2kHz +3dB, 6.4kHz +2dB) gives Telecaster-style brightness even from a darker-sounding guitar.
Artist Settings
Documented settings used by professional guitarists on this unit.
Cobain reportedly used a GE-7 to boost his signal into his Fender Bassman and Twin setups. His approach was a moderate mid-cut to carve space in a band context, with a Level boost for the distortion channel. The exact curve is undocumented but this approximation captures the scooped grunge character.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Use the GE-7 as a clean solo boost with flat EQ (all sliders at 0) and only the Level raised — this is the simplest and most transparent boost available.
- The "mid-scoop" setting (cut 400Hz through 1.6kHz, boost high and low) is a classic metal technique and can be applied to any amp to approximate the modern metal studio sound.
- Place the GE-7 in the amp's effects loop for EQ that affects only the power amp stage — this produces a different, often more useful effect than placing it before the amp input.
- The GE-7 is known for adding a slight hiss at high gain settings. Use a noise gate pedal after it in the chain to manage this in high-gain applications.
FAQ
Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer — Common Questions
Best starting settings for Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer: 100Hz at 0/10, 200Hz at 0/10, 400Hz at 0/10, 800Hz at 0/10, 1.6kHz at 0/10, 3.2kHz at 0/10, 6.4kHz at 0/10, Level at 0/10. Adjust from there based on your guitar, room, and playing style.
For Blues: 100Hz 1/10, 200Hz -1/10, 400Hz -2/10, 800Hz 3/10, 1.6kHz 1/10, 3.2kHz 2/10, 6.4kHz 0/10, Level 2/10. Mid-forward EQ curve for blues — boost 800Hz (+3dB) and 3.2kHz (+2dB) for vocal presence and pick attack. Cut 400Hz (-2dB) to remove boxiness. The slight Level boost (+2dB) makes the GE-7 double as a clean solo boost. This curve works on any amp to push it toward blues territory.
For Metal: 100Hz 2/10, 200Hz -2/10, 400Hz -3/10, 800Hz -4/10, 1.6kHz -3/10, 3.2kHz 2/10, 6.4kHz 2/10, Level 3/10. Classic metal mid-scoop — cut 400Hz through 1.6kHz heavily (-3 to -4dB) for the scooped character of 90s metal tones. Boost 100Hz (+2dB) for low-end weight. Boost 3.2kHz and 6.4kHz for aggression and note definition. The GE-7 mid-scoop is a classic technique for adding a "studio EQ" character to live amp tones.
100Hz: Sub-bass and fundamental bass frequencies. Cutting here reduces muddiness; boosting adds warmth and weight. (-15dB to +15dB). 200Hz: Low-mid bass body. The "muddiness" zone — small cuts here clean up complex chords significantly. (-15dB to +15dB). 400Hz: Upper bass / lower midrange. The "boxiness" zone — cutting here opens up the tone and adds clarity. (-15dB to +15dB). 800Hz: Core midrange — the most critical frequency range for guitar presence. Boosting here improves cut through a mix. (-15dB to +15dB). 1.6kHz: Upper midrange — the "nasal" or "honk" zone. Small cuts remove harshness; boosts add articulation. (-15dB to +15dB). 3.2kHz: Presence and attack. Boosting adds note definition and pick attack clarity. (-15dB to +15dB). 6.4kHz: High-frequency air and sizzle. Boosting adds brightness and sparkle; cutting removes harsh digital-sounding top end. (-15dB to +15dB). Level: Master output level — allows the GE-7 to act as a solo boost even with flat EQ curve. (Cut to Boost)
Use the GE-7 as a clean solo boost with flat EQ (all sliders at 0) and only the Level raised — this is the simplest and most transparent boost available. The "mid-scoop" setting (cut 400Hz through 1.6kHz, boost high and low) is a classic metal technique and can be applied to any amp to approximate the modern metal studio sound. Place the GE-7 in the amp's effects loop for EQ that affects only the power amp stage — this produces a different, often more useful effect than placing it before the amp input. The GE-7 is known for adding a slight hiss at high gain settings. Use a noise gate pedal after it in the chain to manage this in high-gain applications.
Kurt Cobain settings: 100Hz 0/10, 200Hz -2/10, 400Hz -3/10, 800Hz -2/10, 1.6kHz 0/10, 3.2kHz 2/10, 6.4kHz 1/10, Level 2/10. Cobain reportedly used a GE-7 to boost his signal into his Fender Bassman and Twin setups. His approach was a moderate mid-cut to carve space in a band context, with a Level boost for the distortion channel. The exact curve is undocumented but this approximation captures the scooped grunge character.
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