Boss GX-100 settings
Alive settings for Boss GX-100
Pearl Jam · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Pearl Jam "Alive" solo tone on a Boss GX-100, use the Brit Stack amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 6. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
Adapted for a PRS SE Standard 24 · updated 2026-10-06
- Amp model
- Brit Stack
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 5
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1overdriveTS808Gain 2 · Tone 5 · Level 6
- 2reverbSpringMix 5 · Decay 3
- 3noise gateNoise GateRelease 3 · Threshold 4
Playing tips
- Focus on dynamic picking to achieve clarity and articulation in the notes.
- Use a light touch to maintain the clean, glassy tone characteristic of the original solo.
- Experiment with subtle finger vibrato to enhance note sustain and expressiveness.
The original rig
What Pearl Jam used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GX-100 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-100 for Alive?
Use the Brit Stack (crunch channel) with Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, followed by TS808, Spring, Noise Gate.
Which pickup should I use for Alive?
Neck + Middle, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
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 Standard 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-100
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
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.