Paradise City by Guns N' Roses — 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 iconic tone of 'Paradise City,' we'll use the Fender Mustang LT25's modeling capabilities to emulate the Marshall JCM800's crunch and mid-forward character. The Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s will stand in for the Les Paul, with its bright single-coil pickups adjusted to mimic the humbucker tone. We'll use the amp's built-in effects to add subtle delay and reverb for depth.
Signal chain settings
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s — Main guitar
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup Selector | Bridge Pickup | Selects the bridge pickup to emulate the humbucker's punch and clarity. |
| Master Volume | 7 | Set to 7 to maintain clarity and punch without overdriving the amp. |
| Tone 1 | Leave at default | Not used for the bridge pickup. |
| Tone 2 | 5 | Neutral tone setting to balance brightness with warmth. |
Fender Mustang LT25 — Main amp
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preset Select | [22] SUPER ROCK | Closest match to the Marshall JCM800's crunch and mid-forward character. |
| Gain | 6 | Pushes the amp into a crunchy saturation similar to the JCM800. |
| Volume | 5 | Balanced output level to maintain dynamics and clarity. |
| Treble | 6 | Enhances brightness without becoming harsh, matching the JCM800's presence. |
| Bass | 5 | Keeps the low end tight and controlled, similar to the recording. |
| Master | 6 | Output level — set to the volume you're playing at; this sets loudness, not tone. |
| Cabinet build | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Amp Models | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Effects | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
Section guide — how the tone changes through the song
Intro / Verse
Features a clean, bright tone with a slight chorus effect.
- the pedal: Gain → 3
Solo
Boosted gain and presence for the solo section.
- the pedal: Gain → 7
- the pedal: Treble → 7
What Guns N' Roses actually used
Slash primarily used a Kris Derrig Les Paul replica through a modified Marshall JCM800 amp to achieve the iconic tone on 'Paradise City'. The amp settings and use of an overdrive pedal contributed to the song's distinctive sound.
- Kris Derrig Les Paul Replica — main. Slash's primary guitar for the recording
- Marshall JCM800 (1959 mod) — main. Preamp Gain: 7, Master Volume: 6, Bass: 6, Middle: 7, Treble: 7, Presence: 6, Bright Switch: On, Input: High Sensitivity Input
- Overdrive Pedal — boost. Drive low, Level high for push
- Reverb — depth. Light reverb added in FX loop
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://guitar.com/features/artist-rigs/the-gear-used-by-slash-guns-n-roses-appetite-for-destruction/
- https://www.guitarchalk.com/paradise-city-amp-settings/