Tone Settings for Lightning Crashes by Live (guitar and amp)

1. Volume

• Set your amp volume to a moderate level that allows for clean dynamics during the verse and boost when needed for the chorus.
• Use your guitar volume knob to slightly roll back during softer parts, then bring it up for a fuller chorus sound.

2. Tone

• Keep the tone knob slightly rolled off (around 6–7 out of 10) for a warmer, smoother tone especially on rhythm parts.
• Amp EQ should favor midrange with moderate bass and treble to replicate ’90s alt-rock warmth.
• Use a subtle reverb effect and light overdrive for texture without overwhelming the cleans.

3. Pickup Selector

• Use the middle or neck pickup for most rhythm parts to achieve that atmospheric and round tone.
• Switch to bridge pickup for solos or more defined lead lines to cut through the mix.

4. Humbucker or Single Coil Preferred?

• Humbucker is preferred for its thicker, warmer tone that matches the song’s mid-’90s alternative rock vibe.
• Single coil can be used if it’s part of an HSS or HSH setup, but may require tone shaping to avoid harsh highs.

5. Ideal guitar type which is a Electric (Strat-style)

• A Strat-style guitar with an HSS or HSH configuration offers versatility for clean verses and overdriven choruses.
• Alder or ash body wood with a rosewood fingerboard will help attain a well-balanced tone.
• Look for guitars with a bridge humbucker and a 5-way switch to emulate the dynamic range of the recording.

• Fender Telecaster: Known for bright cleans and articulate rhythm tones.
• Gibson Les Paul: Thick sustain for lead parts and dynamic verses.
• Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal: Delivers gritty drive used in choruses.
• Ibanez Tube Screamer: Smooth overdrive for subtle build-ups.
• MXR Phase 90: Adds subtle phase modulation for texture.
• Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb: Enhances ambient depth in clean sections.
• Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler: Useful for atmospheric delay layers.
• Fender Twin Reverb Amp: Ideal clean headroom and clarity.
• Vox AC15: Warm tube breakup perfect for dynamic shifts.
• Ernie Ball Volume Pedal: Great for swells and controlling dynamics.

• Use a clean, warm guitar tone with slight overdrive on rhythm parts.
• Apply light compression to vocals to maintain dynamic consistency.
• Set reverb to medium decay for vocals and snare for atmospheric depth.
• Use a chorus effect subtly on clean guitar intros and verses.
• Dial in a tight low-end EQ on bass to avoid muddiness in softer sections.
• Automate vocal gain for emotional emphasis, especially during chorus peaks.
• Layer acoustic guitar subtly underneath electrics for added warmth.
• Use light delay on lead guitar lines in the outro for widened space.