Boss GX-10 settings
Alive settings for Boss GX-10
Pearl Jam · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Pearl Jam "Alive" riff tone on a Boss GX-10, use the JC Clean amp model on the clean channel, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 6 and volume on 7-8.
Riff settings
Adapted for a PRS SE Custom 24 · updated 2026-05-16
- Amp model
- JC Clean
- Channel
- Clean
- Cab
- Open back cabinet
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 6 · Volume 7-8
Boss GX-10 knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
Amp block
- Drive
- 2
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1overdriveOverdriveGain 3 · Tone 5 · Level 6
- 2reverbSpringMix 5 · Decay 4
- 3noise gateNoise SuppressorRelease 5 · Threshold 4
Playing tips
- Focus on clear, articulate picking to maintain the dynamic response.
- Use fingerstyle for a warmer tone, or a light pick attack for clarity.
- Experiment with your picking dynamics to achieve the glassy sound characteristic of the original tone.
The original rig
What Pearl Jam used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GX-10 actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (likely 1960s or '57 Reissue, Aged White, as seen in 1991-92 live footage)
- Amp
- Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet with 65 Amps Empire 22-watt Tube Head and/or Satellite Atom 36-Watt Head (studio era, early 1990s)
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 2.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Alive adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Pearl Jam'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-10 for Alive?
Use the JC Clean (clean channel) with Drive 2, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 6, followed by Overdrive, Spring, Noise Suppressor.
Which pickup should I use for Alive?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 6 and volume at 7-8.
What gear did Pearl Jam use on Alive?
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (likely 1960s or '57 Reissue, Aged White, as seen in 1991-92 live footage). Amp: Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet with 65 Amps Empire 22-watt Tube Head and/or Satellite Atom 36-Watt Head (studio era, early 1990s).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a PRS SE Custom 24. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Alive on other amps
Popular songs on the Boss GX-10
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome To The Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Sad But True · Metallica
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.