HeadRush Prime settings
Alive settings for HeadRush Prime
Pearl Jam · adapted 6 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Pearl Jam "Alive" solo tone on a HeadRush Prime, use the 82 LEAD 800 50W 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 McCarty 594 · updated 2026-10-27
- Amp model
- 82 LEAD 800 50W
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 Marshall
- 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 OverdriveGain 2 · Tone 5 · Level 6
- 2reverbBlackpanel Spring ReverbMix 5 · Decay 3
- 3compressionGray CompLevel 5 · Ratio 4 · Attack 5 · Release 5
Playing tips
- Use dynamic picking to emphasize the glassy highs and clear note separation.
- Incorporate slight finger vibrato for expressive note sustain.
- Experiment with volume swells for a more ambient, fluid solo tone.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gibson Les Paul · updated 2026-10-21
- Amp model
- 82 LEAD 800 100W
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- Marshall 4x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 6-7 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 6
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1overdriveWhite BoostGain 6 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbBlackpanel Spring ReverbMix 5 · Decay 3
- 3noise gateDefault GateRelease 5 · Threshold 4
Playing tips
- Use a dynamic pick attack to achieve the articulate crunch.
- Focus on tight rhythm playing to maintain clarity in the riff.
- Experiment with palm muting for added punch in the lower notes.
The original rig
What Pearl Jam used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush Prime 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 Prime for Alive?
Use the 82 LEAD 800 50W (crunch channel) with Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, followed by Green JRC Overdrive, Blackpanel Spring Reverb, Gray Comp.
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 McCarty 594. 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 Prime
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- What If · Creed
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Comfortably Numb · Pink Floyd
- 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.