Paul Gilbert Amp Settings
EQ dial positions, gain structure, and how to replicate the sound on any amp
Mesa Boogie Mark III / Peavey JSX — Dial Settings
Sourced8
Gain6
Bass7
Mid8
Treble8
PresenceMesa Boogie Mark III or Peavey JSX at high gain. Mid-forward for definition in fast shred passages. Presence and treble up for pick attack clarity. Ibanez RG or PGM signature, bridge humbucker.
All values on a 0–10 scale. Adjust by ear — room acoustics and specific amp variants affect the exact position.
Choosing the Right Amp
high gainMesa Dual Rectifier, Peavey 5150/6505, ENGL — modern saturation. Use gate to control noise.
british crunchMarshall Plexi, JCM800, Vox AC — mid-forward crunch. Let the amp drive the tone.
Amp at Every Budget
Getting the Most From Your Amp
- Use the amp's own drive channel rather than stacking too many pedals —Paul Gilbert's tone benefits from amp-driven saturation.
- Master volume matters — many classic tones only work at significant volume when tubes are working hard.