Marshall MG30FX settings
Alive settings for Marshall MG30FX
Pearl Jam · adapted 10 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Pearl Jam "Alive" solo tone on a Marshall MG30FX, set Gain 1.5, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Squier Telecaster · updated 2026-10-17
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG30FX knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Volume
- 6
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on · 1.5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Pick lightly for a glassy, articulate tone that captures the dynamics of the original solo.
- Experiment with your volume knob to find the sweet spot for clarity without losing sustain.
Riff settings
Adapted for a HSS Stratocaster · updated 2026-07-27
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 6-7 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG30FX knobs
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Maintain a dynamic pick attack to achieve clear note separation.
- Experiment with palm muting for tighter rhythms and articulation.
The original rig
What Pearl Jam used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG30FX 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 are the best Marshall MG30FX settings for Alive?
Set Gain 1.5, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6.
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 Squier Telecaster. 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 Marshall MG30FX
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome To The Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Raining Blood · Slayer
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.