Marshall DSL40C settings
Panama settings for Marshall DSL40C
Van Halen · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Van Halen "Panama" riff tone on a Marshall DSL40C, set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, Resonance 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Stratocaster · updated 2026-05-26
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall DSL40C knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Resonance
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Tone shift
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 4
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to 2.5 for a subtle ambiance.
- Engage the resonance control to tighten the low end for palm-muted chugs.
- Experiment with picking dynamics to achieve a percussive rhythm.
The original rig
What Van Halen used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall DSL40C actually has.
- Guitar
- Kramer 5150 (Frankenstrat-style, custom build by Eddie Van Halen)
- Amp
- Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (run through a Variac, voltage lowered to ~90V)
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 2.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Panama adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Van Halen's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Marshall DSL40C settings for Panama?
Set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, Resonance 6.
Which pickup should I use for Panama?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Van Halen use on Panama?
Guitar: Kramer 5150 (Frankenstrat-style, custom build by Eddie Van Halen). Amp: Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (run through a Variac, voltage lowered to ~90V).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Fender Stratocaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Panama on other amps
Popular songs on the Marshall DSL40C
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Alive · Pearl Jam
- Man in the Box · Alice in Chains
- Back in Black · AC/DC
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.