Boss GX-10 settings
Panama settings for Boss GX-10
Van Halen · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Van Halen "Panama" riff tone on a Boss GX-10, use the X-Titan amp model on the lead channel, then set Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a PRS SE Custom 24 · updated 2026-05-16
- Amp model
- X-Titan
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12 closed back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss GX-10 knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
Amp block
- Drive
- 8
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1overdriveBoosterGain 5 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbSpringMix 5 · Decay 4
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance the dynamic response.
- Incorporate slides and harmonics for added texture.
Solo settings
Adapted for a PRS SE Custom 24 · updated 2026-05-16
- Amp model
- X-Titan
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12 closed back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss GX-10 knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
Amp block
- Drive
- 8
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1modulationPhaserRate 3 · Depth 5
- 2modulationFlangerMix 5 · Depth 5 · Speed 3 · Feedback 5
- 3delayAnalogMix 4 · Feedback 3
- 4reverbSpringMix 3 · Decay 3
- 5overdriveT-ScreamGain 5 · Tone 5 · Level 7
Playing tips
- Use aggressive picking to enhance the percussive attack.
- Incorporate slides and bends for expressive phrasing.
- Utilize vibrato on sustained notes for added emotion.
The original rig
What Van Halen used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GX-10 actually has.
- Guitar
- Kramer 5150 (Frankenstrat-style, custom build by Eddie Van Halen)
- Amp
- Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (run through a Variac, voltage lowered to ~90V)
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 2.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Panama adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Van Halen'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 Panama?
Use the X-Titan (lead channel) with Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by Booster, Spring.
Which pickup should I use for Panama?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Van Halen use on Panama?
Guitar: Kramer 5150 (Frankenstrat-style, custom build by Eddie Van Halen). Amp: Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (run through a Variac, voltage lowered to ~90V).
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.
Panama 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.