Blackstar Core settings
Iris settings for Blackstar Core
Goo Goo Dolls · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Goo Goo Dolls "Iris" riff tone on a Blackstar Core, set Gain 2, Volume 5, Reverb 5, Isf 5. Use the bridge + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 9-10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRX40 · updated 2026-10-29
- Pickup
- Bridge + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 9-10
Blackstar Core knobs
- Gain
- 2
- Volume
- 5
- Reverb
- 5
- Isf
- 5
Built-in effects
- Chorus on
- Reverb on · 5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level to recreate the shimmering effect.
- Engage reverb to add spaciousness to the clean tone.
- Strum with a percussive attack to emphasize the ringing open chords.
The original rig
What Goo Goo Dolls used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar Core actually has.
- Guitar
- Electric tuned to B-D-D-D-D (Rzeznik routinely uses semi-hollow electrics; Taylor T5-class instruments live). Tim Pierce overdubbed mandolin and electric slide on the studio cut.
- Amp
- Matchless HC-30 set clean (Rzeznik's main studio amp at the time)
- Gain
- 2
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 4
Different guitar or pedals? Get Iris adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Goo Goo Dolls's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Blackstar Core settings for Iris?
Set Gain 2, Volume 5, Reverb 5, Isf 5.
Which pickup should I use for Iris?
Bridge + Middle, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 9-10.
What gear did Goo Goo Dolls use on Iris?
Guitar: Electric tuned to B-D-D-D-D (Rzeznik routinely uses semi-hollow electrics; Taylor T5-class instruments live). Tim Pierce overdubbed mandolin and electric slide on the studio cut.. Amp: Matchless HC-30 set clean (Rzeznik's main studio amp at the time).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRX40. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Iris on other amps
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.