HeadRush Core settings
Alive settings for HeadRush Core
Pearl Jam · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Pearl Jam "Alive" solo tone on a HeadRush Core, use the 82 LEAD 800 100W (Marshall JCM800 100W) 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 Gibson Les Paul · updated 2026-09-19
- Amp model
- 82 LEAD 800 100W (Marshall JCM800 100W)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- Marshall 1960A 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
- 1overdriveGREEN JRC OD (Ibanez TS808)Gain 2 · Treble 5 · Level 6
- 2reverbSPRING REVERB (Fender Spring Reverb)Mix 3 · Decay 5
- 3noise gateNOISE GATE (ISP Technologies Decimator)Release 5 · Threshold 4
- 4compressionGRAY COMP (Ross Compressor)Level 5 · Ratio 3 · Attack 5 · Release 5 · Threshold 5
- 5delayANALOG DELAYMix 3 · Feedback 5
Playing tips
- Focus on dynamic picking to achieve clear note separation.
- Use fingerstyle for a more nuanced attack and sustain.
- Experiment with varying your picking intensity for different note articulations.
The original rig
What Pearl Jam used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush Core 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 HeadRush Core for Alive?
Use the 82 LEAD 800 100W (Marshall JCM800 100W) (crunch channel) with Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, followed by GREEN JRC OD (Ibanez TS808), SPRING REVERB (Fender Spring Reverb), NOISE GATE (ISP Technologies Decimator), GRAY COMP (Ross Compressor), ANALOG DELAY.
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 Gibson Les Paul. 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 HeadRush Core
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Creep · Radiohead
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.