Boss Katana settings
Holy Diver settings for Boss Katana
Dio · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Dio "Holy Diver" riff tone on a Boss Katana, set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Dean Vendetta · updated 2026-07-20
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss Katana knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Solo
- 0
- Contour
- 0
- Power control
- 3
- Cabinet resonance
- 2
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to replicate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Maintain a strong palm muting technique for punchy riffs.
- Focus on aggressive picking to enhance the articulation of the notes.
The original rig
What Dio used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss Katana actually has.
- Guitar
- Gibson Les Paul (Vivian Campbell's original, maple top, mahogany body, brass nut, DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup)
- Amp
- Marshall JCM800 2203 (likely 100W head, 1982-83 era, with 4x12 cabinet)
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 1.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Holy Diver adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Dio's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Boss Katana settings for Holy Diver?
Set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5.
Which pickup should I use for Holy Diver?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Dio use on Holy Diver?
Guitar: Gibson Les Paul (Vivian Campbell's original, maple top, mahogany body, brass nut, DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup). Amp: Marshall JCM800 2203 (likely 100W head, 1982-83 era, with 4x12 cabinet).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Dean Vendetta. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Holy Diver on other amps
Popular songs on the Boss Katana
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
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.