Still Got the Blues by Gary Moore — Amp Settings & Guitar Tone
Reference tone dialed on a Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster into a Fender Mustang LT25. Settings below are cited from real sources; open the page in a browser for the interactive version, or get this tone dialed for your exact gear.
To capture the essence of Gary Moore's 'Still Got the Blues,' we'll use the Fender Mustang LT25's modeling capabilities to emulate the Marshall Plexi sound, combined with onboard effects for chorus and reverb. The Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s will substitute for the Les Paul, focusing on the neck pickup to achieve a warm, singing lead tone.
Signal chain settings
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s — main guitar
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup Selector | Neck Pickup | Neck pickup provides warmth and sustain, essential for the lead tone. |
| Master Volume | 10 | Guitar volume full up — roll back to clean up the gain or drop level. |
| Tone 1 | 6 | Roll back to control brightness and emulate the Les Paul's warmth. |
| Tone 2 | Leave at default | Not used for neck pickup; focus is on Tone 1 for this song. |
Fender Mustang LT25 — amplification and effects
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preset | [08] SOLO MIDBOOST | Closest match for the Marshall Plexi sound with mid-forward character. |
| Gain | 7 | Pushes the amp into a saturated tube crunch for smooth sustain. |
| Volume | 6 | Balances output level with gain for expressive dynamics. |
| Treble | 6 | Controls treble to avoid harshness while maintaining articulation. |
| Bass | 4 | Keeps the low end tight and focused, avoiding muddiness. |
| Master | 7 | Provides overall volume control while maintaining headroom for dynamics. |
| Effects | Chorus | Engage chorus to add depth and richness to the tone, emulating the Roland Dimension D heard on the record. Using the amp's Menu Button and Preset Select, open the effects list to reach it. Start around Rate 3/10, Depth 6-7/10, Level 5/10 — slower and deeper reads watery; faster and shallower reads subtle shimmer. Press Save Button to keep it in this preset. |
| Cabinet build | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Amp Models | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
What Gary Moore actually used
Gary Moore recorded 'Still Got the Blues' using his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard through a Marshall JTM45 reissue prototype head and a Marshall 1960B cabinet loaded with Electro-Voice EVM12L speakers. The primary distortion was achieved with a Marshall The Guv'nor pedal, and a Roland SDD-320 Dimension D provided the stereo chorus effect. The recording took place at Sarm West Studios in London, with Moore co-producing alongside Ian Taylor.
- 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard — main. Neck pickup for most of the song; neck volume at 10 during solos, 5 during rhythm parts; neck tone at 6; bridge volume and tone at 10.
- Marshall The Guv'nor — primary distortion. Gain at 7, bass at 7, middle at 10, treble at 8.5, level at 6.
- 1989 Marshall JTM45 Reissue Prototype — amplification. Presence at 5, bass at 3, middle at 9, treble at 7, high treble loudness at 6, high treble input 1.
- Roland SDD-320 Dimension D — stereo chorus effect. Dimension mode set to 4.
- Marshall 1960B 4x12 Cabinet with Electro-Voice EVM12L Speakers — speaker cabinet
Tuning: Standard
Sources
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/classic-vibe-stratocaster-60s/0303010500.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1547905/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/guitar-amplifiers/contemporary-digital/mustang-lt25/2311100000.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3126493/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://www.guitarchalk.com/fender-mustang-lt25-settings/
- https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/the-secrets-behind-gary-moores-tone-on-still-got-the-blues
- https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Still_Got_the_Blues