Joe Bonamassa Amp Settings
EQ dial positions, gain structure, and how to replicate the sound on any amp
Reference Amp (£1,000 Tier)
Marshall DSL20CR
£479
Gain structure: clean amp pushed by a boost or OD pedal
Amp voice: british
Suggested Starting Settings
Dial positions are derived from Joe Bonamassa's tonal fingerprint. These are starting points — fine-tune by ear on your specific amp.
5
Gain7
Bass7
Mid6
Treble6
Presence2
ReverbAll values on a 0–10 scale. Start here and adjust to room acoustics and your specific amp model.
Choosing the Right Amp
british crunchMarshall Plexi, JCM800, Vox AC — mid-forward crunch. Let the amp drive the tone.
vintage bluesVibroverb, Super Reverb, Champ — pushed tubes with warm breakup. Crank for bloom.
Amp at Every Budget
Getting the Most From Your Amp
- Keep the amp clean and use pedals for drive — the amp's headroom lets the pedals breathe.
- Don't scoop the mids. Joe Bonamassa's mid-forward voicing is essential to cut through the mix.
- Master volume matters — many classic tones only work at significant volume when tubes are working hard.