Blackstar Core settings
Black Hole Sun settings for Blackstar Core
Soundgarden · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun" riff tone on a Blackstar Core, set Gain 6, Volume 6, Reverb 0, Isf 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gibson Les Paul · updated 2026-11-06
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Blackstar Core knobs
- Gain
- 6
- Volume
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
- Isf
- 5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus to replicate the warbly modulation effect of the original tone.
- Maintain a strong attack on the strings to achieve the defined string attack characteristic.
- Experiment with the volume knobs to find the right balance between the neck and bridge pickups for dynamic response.
The original rig
What Soundgarden used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar Core actually has.
- Guitar
- Guild S-100
- Amp
- Late-Seventies Marshall Model 1987 JMP 50-watt Lead head (blended with Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo head)
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 5.5
- Presence
- 4
- Reverb
- 1.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Black Hole Sun adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Soundgarden's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Blackstar Core settings for Black Hole Sun?
Set Gain 6, Volume 6, Reverb 0, Isf 5.
Which pickup should I use for Black Hole Sun?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Soundgarden use on Black Hole Sun?
Guitar: Guild S-100. Amp: Late-Seventies Marshall Model 1987 JMP 50-watt Lead head (blended with Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo head).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Gibson Les Paul. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Black Hole Sun on other amps
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Mustang LT25 · 134
- Black Hole Sun on Boss Katana · 55
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Frontman 10G · 45
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Champion 20 · 20
- Black Hole Sun on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 20
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Frontman 15G · 17
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Mustang LT50 · 14
- Black Hole Sun on Boss GT-1000 · 13
Popular songs on the Blackstar Core
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.