Boss GX-1 settings
Mr. Brightside settings for Boss GX-1
The Killers · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Killers "Mr. Brightside" riff tone on a Boss GX-1, use the BOUTIQUE amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 8, Presence 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 112V · updated 2026-10-14
- Amp model
- BOUTIQUE
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- Open back cabinet with 12" speaker
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 5
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Original drive
- 5
Effects chain
- 1overdriveTube ScreamerGain 4 · Tone 6 · Level 7
- 2modulationChorusMix 5 · Rate 4 · Depth 5
- 3reverbSpringMix 7 · Decay 5
Playing tips
- Use a light palm muting technique to add a percussive attack to the riff.
- Play with a slight pick angle to enhance the brightness of the notes.
- Focus on clean, precise picking to maintain clarity in the riff.
The original rig
What The Killers used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GX-1 actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording)
- Amp
- Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources)
- Gain
- 4.5
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Mr. Brightside adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts The Killers's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the Boss GX-1 for Mr. Brightside?
Use the BOUTIQUE (crunch channel) with Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 8, Presence 6, followed by Tube Screamer, Chorus, Spring.
Which pickup should I use for Mr. Brightside?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did The Killers use on Mr. Brightside?
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording). Amp: Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Mr. Brightside on other amps
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Mustang LT25 · 202
- Mr. Brightside on Boss Katana · 94
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 10G · 88
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 52
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Champion 20 · 42
- Mr. Brightside on Neural DSP Quad Cortex · 29
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 15G · 26
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 POD Go / POD Go Wireless · 24
Popular songs on the Boss GX-1
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Heart-Shaped Box · Nirvana
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
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.