Boss ME-90 settings
Black Hole Sun settings for Boss ME-90
Soundgarden · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun" riff tone on a Boss ME-90, use the Brit Stack (Marshall JCM800) amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 5.5, Presence 4. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul Custom · updated 2026-11-07
- Amp model
- Brit Stack (Marshall JCM800)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 6
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 5.5
- Presence
- 4
Effects chain
- 1overdriveT-Scream (TS808)Gain 5 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2modulationRotaryMix 6 · Depth 5 · Speed 7
- 3reverbSpringMix 4 · Decay 3
Playing tips
- Use a dynamic picking technique to emphasize the defined string attack.
- Incorporate palm muting for added punch on certain notes.
- Experiment with slight bends to create a sitar-like effect.
The original rig
What Soundgarden used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss ME-90 actually has.
- Guitar
- Guild S-100
- Amp
- Late-Seventies Marshall Model 1987 JMP 50-watt Lead head (blended with Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo head)
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 5.5
- Presence
- 4
- Reverb
- 1.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Black Hole Sun adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Soundgarden's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the Boss ME-90 for Black Hole Sun?
Use the Brit Stack (Marshall JCM800) (crunch channel) with Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 5.5, Presence 4, followed by T-Scream (TS808), Rotary, Spring.
Which pickup should I use for Black Hole Sun?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Soundgarden use on Black Hole Sun?
Guitar: Guild S-100. Amp: Late-Seventies Marshall Model 1987 JMP 50-watt Lead head (blended with Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo head).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul Custom. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Black Hole Sun on other amps
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Mustang LT25 · 134
- Black Hole Sun on Boss Katana · 55
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Frontman 10G · 45
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Champion 20 · 20
- Black Hole Sun on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 20
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Frontman 15G · 17
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Mustang LT50 · 14
- Black Hole Sun on Boss GT-1000 · 13
Popular songs on the Boss ME-90
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
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.